Bohuslav Martinu

Bohuslav Martinu managed to become not only the greatest Czech composer of his generation, but a major international figure, known especially for his concerti and chamber music. His work tends to command attention from its opening bars. Its rhythmic vitality and pronounced lyricism recall the styles of both Dvorak and Stravinsky. Martinu began as a follower of Debussy, a rather eccentric choice in the Prague of that time -- the major figures having been Dvorák and Richard Strauss. He moved to Paris and became part of the avant-garde there. He then experimented with jazz, a B...