Bohuslav Martinů

Life and work

bohuslav martinŮ (1890–1959)


‘I never met a man more simple, sincere and affecting in my life.’
Paul Sacher about Bohuslav Martinů.

Bohuslav Martinů, born 1890 in Czechia, is one of the 20th century’s most prolific composers. The autodidact studied shortly with Josef Suk in Prague and later with Albert Roussel in Paris where he lived 1923-1940. 1940 he emigrated to the USA and taught Composition at several conservatories and universities until 1953. In the following years he alternately lived in France, Italy and Switzerland. 1959 he died in Liestal near Basel. Bohuslav Martinů’s lifework spans more than 400 works.