Borislav Martinu

[beethovenfan]

Hi,

I never heard this name before,
where does this comoser come from,
when did he live and how difficult are his works
(Preludes) -

I heaard Prelude en forme de danse, nice piece.
Do you know the grade?

Thanks,

beethovenfan

[goose]

Bohuslav Martinů was a Czech composer who lived well into the twentieth century. He spent time in the US and wrote an enormous amount. I've only played a few of his short dances for piano: sentimental puppet waltz, etc. They are charming pieces, not very difficult, which I think he wrote for children. They edge into a few modern sounds without getting too abstract.

For more on the man, see: https://www.chez.com/craton/musique/martinu/martinu.htm

[beethovenfan]

Is there any sheetmusic in the www. to have a look? I don't want to buy a book, if it's to difficult. Can you compare his style with Rachmaninoff?

Who played some of his preludes like en forme de danse?

[DarkWind]

Ooh ooh ooh!!! I adore Bohuslav Martinu's music. So incredible and fresh, very unique, with an interesting sound. His Symphony No. 1 begins with a B Minor chord changing to a B Major Chord in like the second bar. Things like that. His works are really enjoyable. I would not compare him to Rachmaninoff. Martinue is primarily a  chamber composer, concerto grosso was his specialty.