Frank Martin was a Swiss composer known for his distinctive blend of French impressionism and Germanic structural rigor. Born in Geneva in 1890, he was deeply influenced by composers like Bach and Debussy, and he eventually developed a unique voice marked by expressive lyricism and rhythmic vitality. Martin's music often explored religious and philosophical themes, as evident in works like the Mass for Double Choir and the oratorio Golgotha.
Throughout his career, he composed in a wide range of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, vocal compositions, and concertos. His “Polyptyque” for violin and strings and the “Ballade” for various solo instruments have become staples in the 20th-century repertoire. Martin also made significant contributions to the development of modern Swiss music and taught composition at institutions in Switzerland and the Netherlands. He passed away in 1974, leaving behind a deeply personal and spiritually resonant body of work.
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