Bohuslav Martinů
Born: 8th December 1890, Policka
Died: 28th August 1959, Liestal
Nationality: Czech
Bohuslav Jan Martinů was a Czech composer of modern classical music. He wrote 6 symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores, and a large body of orchestral, chamber, vocal, and instrumental works. He became a violinist in the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and briefly studied under Czech composer and violinist Josef Suk. After leaving Czechoslovakia in 1923 for Paris, Martinů deliberately withdrew from the Romantic style in which he had been trained. During the 1920s he experimented with modern French stylistic developments, exemplified by his orchestral works Half-time and La Bagarre.
Read more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohuslav_Martinů
Browse: Martinů
Further Reading: Martinů
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Jakub Hrůša conducts symphonies by Bohuslav Martinů
15th May 2026
The Czech conductor leads the Bamberger Symphoniker in performances of all six of the symphonies by his compatriot that are full of rhythmic vitality, magical textures, and characterful playing from every section of the orchestra.
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The Pavel Haas Quartet on Martinů
29th Sep 2025
Violinist Veronika Jarůšková and cellist Peter Jarůšek discuss how the composer's music featured in their first meeting as children on a TV talent show, Martinů's relationship with fellow composer Vítězslava Kaprálová, and surmounting the technical challenges of music that is 'almost impossible to play'.
Popular Genres: Martinů
Orchestral
Chamber
Instrumental
Choral
Concertos
Popular Works: Martinů
- Cello Concerto No. 1, H.196 (15)
- Concertino for Cello, Winds, Percussion & Piano in C minor, H. 143 (11)
- Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra (14)
- Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2, H. 293 (13)
- Double Concerto for Strings, Piano & Timpani, H. 271 (13)
- Duo for Violin and Cello No. 1, H. 157 (16)
- Duo for Violin and Cello No. 2, H. 371 (9)
- La Revue de Cuisine (9)
- Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca, H. 352 (12)
- Memorial to Lidice, H. 296 (10)
- Nonet for wind quintet, violin, viola, cello & double bass, H. 374 (8)
- Piano Concerto No. 4, H358 'Incantation' (10)
- Piano Quartet No. 1, H. 287 (12)
- Piano Sonata No. 1, H350 (10)
- Piano Trio No. 2 in D minor, H327 (11)
- Piano Trio No. 3 in C major, H332 (10)
- Rhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (15)
- Serenade No. 2 for Two Violins & Viola, H. 216 (10)
- Sextet for Piano and Wind Instruments, H. 174 (11)
- Sonata for Cello & Piano No. 1, H. 277 (27)
- Sonata for Cello & Piano No. 2, H. 286 (25)
- Sonata for Cello & Piano No. 3, H. 340 (22)
- Sonata for Flute & Piano, H. 306 (35)
- Sonata for Viola & Piano, H. 355 (9)
- Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 1, H. 182 (8)
- Sonata for Violin & Piano No. 3, H. 303 (11)
- Sonatina for Clarinet & Piano, H. 356 (17)
- String Quartet No. 3, H. 183 (9)
- String Quartet No. 5, H. 268 (11)
- String Trio No. 2, H. 238 (10)
- Symphony No. 1, H. 289 (13)
- Symphony No. 2, H. 295 (9)
- Symphony No. 3, H. 299 (10)
- Symphony No. 4, H. 305 (23)
- Symphony No. 5, H. 310 (15)
- Symphony No. 6 'Fantaises symphoniques', H. 343 (20)
- Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola (Duo No. 1), H. 313 (12)
- Trio for Flute, Cello & Piano, H. 300 (14)
- Variations on a Slovak folksong for Cello & Piano, H. 378 (23)
- Variations on a Theme of Rossini (33)
Recent Best Sellers: Martinů
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Martinů: The Symphonies
Bamberger Symphoniker, Jakub Hrůša
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Presto Recording of the Week, 15th May 2026
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Record Review, 23rd May 2026, Record of the Week
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Gramophone Magazine, July 2026, Recording of the Month
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BBC Music Magazine, August 2026, Orchestral Choice
3 CDs: $32.25Download from $16.75 -
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Martinů: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 - Bartók: Sonata for Solo Violin
Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin), Bamberger Symphoniker, Jakub Hrůša
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Record Review, 5th December 2020, Record of the Week
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Gramophone Magazine, January 2021, Recording of the Month
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BBC Music Magazine, February 2021, Concerto Choice
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Gramophone Awards, 2021, Shortlisted - Concerto
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BBC Music Magazine Awards, 2022, Shortlisted - Concerto
SACD: $18.25 -
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Bezaly & Brautigam: Masterworks for Flute and Piano
Sharon Bezaly (flute) & Ronald Brautigam (piano)
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Building a Library, November 2015, First Choice
SACD: $18.25 -
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Clavecin XX
Justin Taylor (harpsichord), Orchestre National de Lille, Chloé Dufresne
CD: $20.75Download from $9.25
