Despite his talent, Martinů was sent down from the Prague conservatory due to mismanaging his studies, though he was often found engrossed in library music collections.
Composer Biography
Bohuslav Martinů, a great Czech composer, grew up in the church tower of Polička, where his father was a parish clerk.
Composition History
Martinů did not compose symphonies until he was 52 years old, after being forced to leave Paris due to the Nazi invasion.
Composer Biography
The ticking of the tower clock in Martinů's childhood home may have influenced his strongly rhythmical music.
Performer Biography
Neeme Järvi, the conductor on this album, was born in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1937 and made his conducting debut at the age of 18.
Composition History
After arriving in America in 1941, Martinů composed one symphony per year for five consecutive years.
