Frank Martin

Biography

It was born with Geneva, tenth and last child of Charles Martin, Pasteur. Before even beginning the school, he played already of the Piano and controlled the improvisation. At 9 years, it composed of the complete songs, without to have received any musical instruction. A part of Bach, the Passion according to saint Matthieu whom he heard at the 12 years age left him a major impression, and Bach became its true mentor.

He studies mathematics and physics with the Université of Geneva during two years (according to the wish of his/her parents), while working with the composition and by studying the piano with Joseph Lauber (1864-1952), a Genevese type-setter, who were also organist in Locle, professor in Zurich in 1901, leader to the Large Theater of Geneva. Of 1918 with 1926, it lived with Zurich, Rome, and Paris. The compositions of this period show it in the search of its own musical language.

In 1926, it founds the Company of Chamber music of Geneva, which it directs as a pianist and Clavecin ist during 10 years. During this period, he teaches also the musical theory and the improvisation at the Jaques-Dalcroze institute and the chamber music to the academy of Geneva.

He was the director of Technicum Moderne of Music of 1933 with 1940 and chair it Association of the Suisses musicians of 1942 1946.

It leaves to the Netherlands in 1946 to find more time for its compositions than it can it in Switzerland, where it is implied in too many activities. He lived 10 years with Amsterdam, and settles finally with Naarden.

Of 1950 with 1957, it teaches the composition in Staatliche Hochschule für Musik with Cologne, Germany. Thereafter, it gives up teaching and concentrates on its compositions, occasionally leaving them for concerts of chamber music and to direct orchestrations (of its own works).

Principal works

Messe for double chorus has cappella (1922-1926)
Four parts short for Guitare (1933)
the Wine bleached on grass (1938 and 1940-1941), inspired by Tristan and Iseut
Petite symphonia concertante (1944-1945)
In will terra pax (1944), Oratorio
Concerto for seven wind instruments, timpani, and cords (1949)
Golgotha (1945-1948), oratorio
Polyptyque, and two small string orchestras (1973)
Requiem (1971-1972)

He writes also a Symphonie supplements (1937), two Concerto S for Piano S, a Concerto for Clavecin, a Concerto for Violon, a Concerto for Violoncelle, and a series of Ballade S for several instruments alone with Piano or Orchestre.

He developed a style inspired of the Dodécaphonisme of Arnold Schönberg, showing his interest in that starting from 1932, but not giving up completely the Tonalité.

He worked on his last Cantate, And the life carried it until ten days before its death.

Rewards

1947 : Price of type-setter of the Association of the Swiss Musicians
1949: Doctor Honoris causa of the University of Geneva
1951: Price of Geneva.
1953 : Grosser Kunstpreis of the Moors Nordrhein-Westfalen - Ehrenmitglied der Wiener Konzerthausgesellschaft
1955: Accademico Onorario di Santa Cecilia, Roma
1959: First Prize Philadelphia Orchestrated award
1961: Honorary doctor of the University of Lausanne - Associated member Honorary of the Company of Arts of Geneva
1962: Accademico Onorario di Accademia Filarmonica Romana
1964 : Grand Prix of the Musical Weeks International of Paris
1965: Ehrenmitglied der Akademie für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Wien - Ehrenmitglied of Musikvereins für Steiermark, Graz - Ehrenmitglied der Akademie für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Graz - Mozart-Medal, Wien
1968: Verdienstkreuz 1.Klasse der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
1969: National Grand Prix of the Disc (Price Arthur Honegger), Paris
1970: Ehrenmitglied der Tonhalle-Gesellschaft, Zurich
1971: Companion of Honor of the Brotherhood of Guillon
1973: Member of Honor of the Union Choral society of Lausanne - Member of Honor of the International counsel of the Music, Paris
1974: Associated member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, the Letters and Beautiful arts of Belgium

External bonds

association Frank Martin

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