Martinů's distinctive style was influenced by Bohemian and Moravian folk music, the English madrigal, and Claude Debussy's impressionistic idiom.
Composer Biography
Bohuslav Martinů, a Czech composer, composed his first piece, "The Three Horsemen" for string quartet, at the age of ten.
Compositional Technique
Martinů's "Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano" is one of his last 'jazz' works, reflecting the avant-garde atmosphere of 1920s Paris and featuring a rhapsodic form and virtuosic violin part.
Performer Biography
Trio Albatros, active since 1990, is praised by critics and composers for its refined repertoire and high-standard interpretations, particularly in 20th-century and contemporary music.
Composer Biography
Martinů was expelled from the Prague Conservatory for indolence after four years but later became a member of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
Historical Context
During World War II, Martinů fled the Nazis, eventually reaching the USA, and composed works like "Field Mass" and "Memorial to Lidice" in protest of Nazi violence.
Instruments
For his "Promenades for flute, violin and harpsichord," Martinů chose the harpsichord instead of the piano, recalling the Baroque ensemble of the pre-classical period.
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