Martinů was at home with any genre
Martinů was born in Polička in East Bohemia in 1890 and studied the violin and organ at the conservatory. He spent some time in Prague playing the violin in the Czech Philharmonic and also gave violin lessons, but his heart was drawn to a place where the doors of art were wide open.
He left for Paris, where he settled. During World War II he then went to the United States, and after the war made his home in Italy and Switzerland, too. In all the places he lived in, he soaked up the local culture, rhythms, and songs. He then drew on all those influences in his work. He died in 1959 in Switzerland, but you can find his grave in his hometown of Polička.
In his footsteps
Martinů and his wife always liked to return to the town of Polička in eastern Bohemia, where he spent a happy childhood. And the people of Polička haven’t forgotten their famous native son! You can visit the little room where he was born in the tower of St. James’s Church. Climbing the 192 steps to the tower with a guide is interesting in itself, but you’ll also be rewarded with a unique view of the entire town and its surroundings.
The little room is furnished with original and period furniture as it was remembered by the family. It is also worth a visit to the permanent exhibition about Bohuslav Martinů’s life in Polička.
Hear Martinů’s work for yourself
What better way to remember a composer than through his work? Take a trip to Polička from 13 – 26 May 2024 to see the Martinů Fest Polička 2024! Tickets are available from the Polička Information Centre.
You can also enjoy his unique work at the Bohuslav Martinů Days, an autumn festival held every November in Prague. Details of the festival have yet to be announced, but at least you can be sure that late November and early December will be a musical feast!