Martinů, Bohuslav 1890 - 1959
Author: Higuchi, Ai
Last updated：October 1, 2007
Author: Higuchi, Ai
Born in Polička, Bohemia, he was a Czech composer. Possessing an introverted personality, he displayed considerable musical talent from an early age. He began composing in 1900 and left behind numerous chamber works.
In 1906, he entered the violin department of the Prague Conservatory but was transferred to the organ department, and in 1910, he was expelled for “incorrigible idleness.” During World War I, while working as a music teacher in Polička, he composed 120 works, including songs, piano suites, tone poems, ballet works, and melodramas. In 1919, he received the Smetana Prize for his cantata Czech Rhapsody.
In 1923, he went to Paris to study counterpoint with Roussel. He composed works influenced by Les Six and Stravinsky. He also composed works that incorporated Czech folk melodies from his homeland, arranged in a Baroque style, such as Three Czech Dances for piano.
In 1940, he emigrated to the United States to escape the Nazis. Even under the difficult circumstances of exile, he wrote Fantasy and Toccata for piano, Sinfonietta Giocosa, and Sonata da Camera. Even in exile in America, his heart always remained in his homeland, Czechoslovakia. However, even after the end of the war, he was unable to return due to the establishment of the communist regime in 1948, and he continued to teach composition at Princeton University in the United States. From this period, he left numerous works, including 15 chamber pieces, Sinfonia Concertante, and Symphony No. 6.
In 1953, he returned to Europe and immersed himself in works imbued with his feelings for his homeland. Despite his long residence abroad, including in America, his style continued to reflect his pride in Czech music, and many works incorporating Czech folk melodies remain. He was also influenced by Debussy's music and possessed a keen sensibility for timbre. Later, he embraced Neoclassicism, leaving behind free works that transcended stylistic boundaries from the 18th to the 20th centuries. He constantly sought and endeavored to realize new musical expressions.
His principal works include:
- symphonies
- ballets
- orchestral works
- concertos
- chamber music
- piano pieces
- songs
- operas
Works(59)
Concerto (2)
concerto (11)
Double concerto for 2 string orchestras, piano and orchestra H.271
Composed in: 1938 Playing time: 21 min 30 sec
Works with orchestral accompaniment (3)
Piano Solo (9)
pieces (13)
prelude (2)
other dances (2)
Various works (17)
Piano Ensemble (4)
Various works (2)
Chamber Music (1)