As a fugitive from the Nazis, Martinů arrived in America in 1941, where he was already well-known, similar to Dvořák half a century earlier.
Composer Biography
Bohuslav Martinů, the composer, was born 193 steps above ground, just under the steeple of the church of St. James in his hometown Polička, where his father was the bellringer.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Martinů initially intended his Sixth Symphony to be a 'Fantastic' symphony for Charles Münch, a conductor he admired for his spontaneous approach to music, and planned to include three pianos in a very large orchestra.
Critical Reception
Martinů's Sixth Symphony, "Fantaisies Symphoniques," was awarded the New York Critics' Circle Prize for the best orchestral work of the year in 1956.
Composer Biography
Martinů began composing at the age of 12, but he did not attend Josef Suk's composition classes until he was 30.
Compositional Technique
The Sixth Symphony, subtitled "Fantaisies Symphoniques," includes a quotation from Martinů's opera 'Julietta' in its third movement.
Composition History
After completing his Fifth Symphony, Martinů suffered deafness and loss of memory due to a fall from a second floor, but his urge to compose was undiminished.
