Martinů is one of the most substantial Czech composers alongside Leoš Janácek, Antonín Dvořák, and Bedrich Smetana, as well as an important figure in 20th century music. The influence of Claude Debussy and Igor Stravinsky can be seen in his orchestral colors and rhythmic variety. In addition, jazz played an important role in his music in the 1920’s and 1930’s in pieces such as The Soldier and the Dancer and his orchestral work Le jazz.

Martinů was born in Bohemia near the Moravian border. As a child he studied violin and gave many successful recitals as a soloist during his teenage years. His musical studies took him to the Prague Conservatory where he was expelled for poor attendance. However, Martinů was not defeated and eventually journeyed to Paris, where he met the composer and teacher Albert Roussel who introduced him to jazz and the works of Igor Stravinsky. The events of World War II disrupted Martinů’s life in Paris, but in addition to composition, he also aided refugees from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in escaping to Paris. The turmoil in Europe brought Martinů to New York, where he taught at Tanglewood and Princeton and enjoyed retreating to Middlebury, VT. The end of life consisted of multiple journeys back to Europe culminating in his last three years living in Switzerland. The Duo no. 2 for Violin and Viola is from Martinů’s "American" period.

-- Kyle Blaha