This is a fine introduction to Martinu, though not the best possible, simply because these aren't his greatest scores. Now as to what they may be, I defer for the moment. This collection includesthe THREE PARABLES, the FRESCOS OF PIERO DELLA FRANCESA, and the Sixth Symohony, subtitles "Symphonic fanatsies". Suffice it to say, these three pieces -- beautifully played and recorded -- give a very good sample of the Martinu sound, his characteristic harmonies and orchestral textures. Having said the latter, I must get in a plug ofr his chamber music, though that obvioulsy require s different source-recordings. Meanwhile, for those who believe in a pictorial and/or descriptive component in music -- which I mostly do not -- it can be a pleasant exercise to listen to the FRESCOS in comoarison to the roughly contemporaneous MATHIS DER MALER Symphony of Hindemith and the BOTTICCELLI TRIPTYCH of Respighi. ( )