Frank Martin

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Frank Martin

• (1890-1976)

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The Early Years

• Frank Martin was born in Geneva Switzerland on
  September 15, 1890.
• He began piano at a young age and started
  improvising before the age of nine.
• It was at the age of twelve that Martin found his
  calling as a composer, while listening to a
  performance of the Bach St. Matthews Passion.

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The Early Years

• He attended Latin school and studied mathematics
  and physics at Geneva University before striking
  out on his musical career.

• He studied composition with Joseph Lauber, a
  Swiss composer, and by 1918 was on his own trying
  to make a living as a composer.

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An Autographed photo used for a record cover
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New Ideas and Compositions

• In 1926, Martin founded the Geneva Chamber Music
  Society.
• In addition he taught advanced rhythmic theory
  and improvisation at the Jacques Dalcroze
  Institute and the Geneva Conservatory.

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New Ideas and Compositions

• Around 1932 Martin was introduced to Schoenbergs
  twelve tone system. He combined this with his
  own chromatic techniques without the sense of
  tonality being sacrificed.

• His first major work to incorporate these new
  techniques was Le Vin Herbe (1941).

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A photo of Martin and one of his transcripts
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A Mature Composer and Celebrated Life

• The many responsibilities and activities in
  Martins life in Switzerland offset the balance
  of peace and concentration he needed to write.
• He decided to move to the Netherlands in 1946
  where he lived in Amsterdam for ten years before
  settling with his family in Naarden.

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A Mature Composer and Celebrated Life

• From 1950-1957 he taught composition in Cologne
• After 1957 Martin retired from teaching in favor
  of working and composing at home, and making
  occasional tours to conduct his own music.

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(No Transcript)
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The cover page for a composition based on
Villons Poetry
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A Mature Composer and Celebrated Life
(Continued)

• Martin wrote his Requiem in 1973, a work that
  received great praise.
• After his Requiem, he wrote four more works,
  finishing the last one, the cantata Et la Vie
  lemporta ten days before his death.

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A mature Frank Martin
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A Mature Composer and Celebrated Life

• Frank Martin passed away on November 21, 1974 a
  celebrated and well loved composer and innovative
  musician.

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I hope you have enjoyed learning a little about
an amazing composer as well as visiting my
website. Please revisit soon, as I will have
more projects posted at a later date.