Frank Martin
Sing Martin’s Notre Père (Lord’s Prayer) around World Peace Day, September 21st.
Zing Martins Notre Père (Onze Vader) rond 21 september, de Dag van de Vrede.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter ‘Frank Martin up-to-date’.
Welcome! This site is dedicated to the music and life of the composer Frank Martin (Geneva CH 1890 – 1974 Naarden NL). We invite you to visit an extensive database of his Works.
Most compositions are provided with detailed information about instrumentation/orchestration, texts, premieres and audio samples. You will also find links to publishers of Martin’s musical scores. If available comments of the composer himself are included.
Read more about Frank Martin’s life in the Biographical timeline – with biographies in English, French and Dutch – or take a look in Photos for a pictorial history of his life.
In Articles you can find additional information as published in the bulletins of the Frank Martin Stichting, responsible for the content and maintenance of this website.
Select Calendar for a selective list of future performances of compositions by Frank Martin.
If you are looking for specific information, we hope you find it on this site. If you would like to obtain additional information or communicate with us, please get in touch by using the Contact page.
2024
2024 is the commemorative year marking 50 years since Frank Martin passed away. The Frank Martin Stichting aims at making 2024 a festive year full of great performances of the impressive oeuvre of this composer worldwide. Visit the page | 2024 | for a list of concerts and other initiatives.
Let’s celebrate his music!
The document Frank Martin – Celebrating his Music re-examines his oeuvre through the eyes and ears of today. Please visit | 2024 | to browse or download this guide.
Ce guide est également disponible en français, intitulé ‘Frank Martin – Célébrer sa musique’, voir | 2024 | .
Concerts and other initiatives related to this memorial year can be published on this website. So if you have any plans you are cordially invited to let us know by sending an email to 2024@frankmartin.org. Once concerts or other initiatives are definite, we will publish them on our Calendar too.
Let’s make 2024 a real Frank Martin year!
In the last two weeks of 2023 we drew attention to the Frank Martin commemoration year 2024
through advertising on NPO Klassiek (Dutch classical radio station).
I.
‘Seeking to create beauty
is an act of love.’
(music from Le vin herbé)
II.
Peace will only come
when people can forgive each other.
(music from In terra pax)
III.
For music lovers who go
off the beaten path…
(music from Prelude no.8 )
La cantatrice (ca. 1923)
This painting, made by the Swiss avant-garde painter Alice Bailly (1872-1938),
depicts a female singer and a pianist, who is most likely Frank Martin…
Visit La cantatrice for a larger image and some more information.
INTERVIEW
Elly Ameling
Martin’s large-scale Christmas oratorio Le mystère de la Nativité was premiered in Geneva in 1959. The then 26-year-old Dutch soprano Elly Ameling – winner of the ‘Concours International de Musique’ in Geneva (1958) – sang the roles of Eve and the Virgin Mary. We have looked up this world famous singer to reminisce on this exceptional concert and her collaboration with Frank Martin.
Visiting the frank martin house
Thomas Beijer
In August 2021, Thomas Beijer visited the Frank Martin House in Naarden (NL).
Thomas Beijer is a Dutch pianist with a special interest in the music of Frank Martin.
In February 2022, he received the Dutch Music Award (Nederlandse Muziekprijs), the highest award given by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science to a musician who performs classical music.
INTERVIEW
Maria Martin
Interview with Maria Martin (1915-2017), Frank Martin’s widow, at the Frank Martin House at the Bollelaan in Naarden. This film was made in the summer and autumn of 2011 by Véronique Cabois and commissioned by the Frank Martin Stichting, The Netherlands.
INTERVIEW
Ria Bollen
The Flemish alto Ria Bollen (1942) had an impressive, international career as a concert singer. She had a special preference for Frank Martin’s work, with whom she had a close relationship and of whom she performed many works. Frank Martin asked her to participate in his Requiem, he even wrote the Agnus Dei of the Requiem ‘with her voice in mind’. In the run-up to the Frank Martin memorial year 2024 Ria Bollen was interviewed about Frank Martin, his works and their friendship. (visit Videos for part 2)
“When I play the ‘Polyptyque’ by Frank Martin I feel the same responsibility, the same exaltation as when I play Bach’s Chaconne”.