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24
MARTIN
30th anniversary
of death
On 21 Nov, the musical world will
remember the 30th anniversary of
Swiss composer Frank Martin's
passing. In the three decades following
his death, interest in his work
has by no means decreased - a
positive sign which testifies to the
vitality of his diverse oeuvre.
Martin was a deeply religious person,
and he gave voice to his faith
in a number of gripping compositions.
In Golgotha, he created a dramatic
and moving Easter oratorio,
and Le Mystère de la nativité is a
recounting of the Christmas mystery
which allows for a staged production.
For the opera house, he
created Der Sturm after Shakespeare's
Tempest and the musical comedy
Monsieur de Pourceaugnac
after Molière.
Numerous concert works have
found their way into the international
repertoire, above all Sechs
Monologe aus Jedermann for baritone
and orchestra, Concerto for
seven wind instruments, timpani,
percussion and strings, Petite symphonie
concertante for harp, harpsichord,
piano and two string orchestras,
and the violin concerto
Polyptyque.
martin
Martin's written statements bear
witness to the great sense of responsibility
with which he approached
his vocation. One's inner sense
must always watch over both heavenly
inspiration and conscious invention.
… It is not an attitude of rational
coolness, but rather one's passion
that must be merciless … opposing
everything that does not conform
to one's intent, no matter
where it comes from.