John Smyth <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Yes, Martinu is the man.  I look forward to exploring Arnold's
>symphonies.  I like performances that tend to be just to the right
>of indulgent.  Handley?  Penny?  Hickox?  All?

I tend to follow a general principle that the nationality of the conductor
ought to match the nationality of the composer wherever practical, and
this works well for me with Martinu,

Of the two recordings of the Martinu Double Concerto in my possession,
I find the the Czech Philharmonic (Karel Sejna, conductor) more idiomatic
than the Hickox recording, even though it's an older and less polished
performance.  Similarly do I prefer the recordings of the Czech Phil.
with Vaclav Neumann.

And I enthusiastically second the superb review posted earlier on this
list of the Prague SO recording of "Gilgamesh" under Belohlavek.

 - seb