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Introduction by Bernhard Billeter (in German): Letters Frank Martin & Paul Badura-Skoda

4 May 2019 /0 Comments/in /by

Im Jahre 1940 reiste der noch junge Alfred Schlee, designierter Direktor der Universal Edition in Wien, nach Genf. Wir müssen zurückblenden: Er war vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg durch das Institut für musikalisch-rhythmische Erziehung von Émile Jaques-Dalcroze in Dresden-Hellerau zum Tänzer ausgebildet worden. Jaques-Dalcroze, ein bereits damals berühmter Komponist, seit 1910 dorthin berufen, unterrichtete daselbst bis zum Ausbruch des Ersten Weltkrieges; später konnte er in Genf sein Institut weiterführen. Frank Martin wurde sein Freund und blieb bis 1939 einer seiner Dozenten.

Paul Badura-Skoda

5 September 2018 in /by

Composer Frank Martin (1890-1974) and pianist Paul Badura-Skoda (b. 1927) were musical soulmates and good friends. Frank Martin wrote two piano works for his Viennese virtuoso friend in the last nine years of his life: Concerto II pour piano et orchestre (1968-69) and Fantaisie sur des rythmes flamenco for piano solo (1973). Both works were created in a unique cooperation between composer and pianist that can only exist when people are good friends and have complete trust in each other’s musical integrity.

Frank Martin Society ‘Open Day’ 2017

20 July 2017 in /by

On the 11th of June at the beautiful Tindal Villa in Bussum (Netherlands), guitarist Martin van Hees arrived, accompanied by Frank Martin specialist Magda de Meester and the members of the Frank Martin Society.

The sun was shining brightly and the audience – consisting of Frank Martin lovers, associates and relatives – could have their refreshments in the garden of the villa. The program of the day started with a lecture by Magda de Meester on Frank Martin and his only composition for the classical guitar: Quatre Pièces Brèves.

Dusting off Piles of Manuscripts

4 May 2017 in /by

Piles of manuscripts on an antique table of a Swiss composer in The Netherlands… The interior of the Frank Martin House is like a time capsule: A beautiful garden with old trees, small windows, parquet flooring, and Persian rugs family photographs. Frank Martin died in 1974, but it looks as if he left yesterday.