Nový Špalícek (New Spalicek) - Song cycle on Moravian folk poetry (Mezzo-soprano Voice & Piano)

Martinu Nový Špalíček (New Spalicek) - Song cycle on Moravian folk poetry (Mezzo-soprano Voice & Piano)

After taking violin lessons from the local tailor for a few years, Martinů was able to enroll at the Prague Conservatory at 15 as a violin major. However, he didn’t do too well as he made no secret of his real professional ambitions, wanting to become a composer. First he changed teachers, then he switched from violin to organ, which all abruptly ended four years later when he was dismissed from the Conservatory for ‘incorrigible negligence’.

This is how a great musical career started.

After taking composition lesson with Josef Suk for one year, Martinů moved to Paris where he saw his first successes and where he was to stay for 17 years. In spite of being on the Nazis‘ black list, he managed to escape to the US via Spain and Portugal in the winter of 1941 just before the German occupation of Paris. In the US Martinů was greatly appreciated and highly recognized as a composer and teacher and his works were performed by the most renowned orchestras and soloists. Eventually he moved back to Europe and spent his last years in Switzerland near Basel.

In his early years Martinů was much influenced by the French “impressionists”. Later he developed an interest in the music of Schönberg, Stravinsky and Honegger, as well as embracing neoclassicism and Jazz. Through all of this he never lost touch with his native Czech folk music and accordingly his music is often lively, playful, rhythmically varied and dance-like.