Short biography

Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959)

1890

Born in Policka (Czech Republic) on December 8 at top of a bell tower where he lives with his parents until the age of 13.

1897

Begins violin lessons with local tailor, Josef Cernovsky.

1900

Composes his first opus, a programmatic string quartet, The Three Riders.

1906

Violin studies at Prague Conservatory

1910

Dismissed from the Conservatoire for ‘incorrigible negligence’

1911

Passes State music exam and begins teaching violin. Violinist at Czech Philharmonic in Prague, touring

1922

Enters Josef Suk’s masterclass at Prague Conservatoire.

1923

Composition studies with Albert Roussell in Paris

1923-1940

Composer in Paris.

1926

Meets future wife Charlotte Quennehen, a dressmaker.

1931

Marries Charlotte. Elected member of Czech Academy of Arts and Sciences.

1932

String Sextet wins Coolidge Foundation Price for Composition in Washington.

1938

Julietta premiered at National Theatre in Prague.

1940

Emigration via Southern France / Aix-en-Provance to the U.S. Has to leave many of his manuscripts behind.

1941

Arrives in New York. Concentrates on composing, amongst others symphonies, and soon is in great demand as composition teacher.

1946

Martinů obtains American citizenship.

1947

Becomes Professor of Composition at Mannes School of Music, New York

1948

Visiting Professor at Princeton University.

1953

Settles in Nice with Charlotte and then lives alternately in France, Italy and primarily Switzerland (in Rennweg, Basel, and Frenkendorf near Liestal/Basel). In Switzerland he composes more than 20 works until his death, such as Chamber Music No. 1, variations on a Slovakian theme for cello and piano, Nonet, Piano Concerto No. 5, the orchestral works The Parables and Estampes, Concerto for two String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani, several works for choir and the operas Ariadne and The Greek Passion.

1954

Begins composing The Greek Passion.

1959

Martinů dies in Liestal near Basel on 28 August.

While abroad Martinů composed six works for Paul and/or Maja, amongst others Toccata e due Canzoni for chamber orchestra and The Epic of Gilgamesh for chorus and orchestra.