Variations on a Slovakian Theme (Cello & Piano)

Martinu Variations on a Slovakian Theme (Cello & Piano)

Bohuslav Martinu (1880 - 1959) was a Czech violinist and prolific composer.  He left his home town of Policka in 1906 for Prague and later studied formal composition under Josef Suk.  In 1923 he left for Paris where he stayed until 1940 only to spend the next few months wandering before departing for America in 1941.

The Variations on a Slovakian Theme were written during the last year of his life in 1959 while he was staying in Switzerland.  The theme is from the folk-song Kde bych já veděla (If I Had Known) which is followed by several variations before the vigorous finale in true Slovak style.