About Martinů
Throughout time, some critics raised concern over the extraordinary volume of Bohuslav Martinů’s (1890 - 1959) musical output - which spans symphonies, operas, and chamber music -, believing he may have composed too much, too fast, and not well enough. However, the Czech composer of modern classical music’s oeuvre speaks for itself and not only dispels lingering doubts about his qualities as a composer but also speaks to his remarkable work ethic.
The son of a shoemaker, Martinů was born in the tower of the St. Jakub Church in Polička, a town in Bohemia. Martinů was a feeble boy, and very shy - but, when playing the violin, he transformed. Impressed by his skill, the townspeople raised money for his schooling, and in 1906 he left the countryside to set of for the Prague Conservatory to study the instrument.
However, Martinů did not excel as a student, showing little to no interest in the rigid pedagogy or the hours of practice required; instead, he longed to travel, learn, and seek inspiration in concerts, books, and living life. He was dismissed from the conservatory in 1910 for 'incorrigible negligence'.
Martinů's first triumph came in the shape of the celebratory cantata Czech Rhapsody, penned in the wake of the end of the first world war and Czechoslovakia's newly-minted independence. Czech Philharmonic's young conductor Václav Talich saw something special in Martinů, promoting him to full membership of the orchestra by 1920. But it would be elsewhere Martinů's compositional style would take a tremendous leap forward.
In Paris, the composer encountered not only the work of French composers such as Debussy, Ravel, and Stravinsky, but also other exciting genres of music - jazz and popular music - which would come to play a crucial role in his many creations. After a period of intense experimentation, Martinů settled on a neo-classical style that would come to define his legacy for years to come.
As an open opposer of Nazi ideology and the occupation of his native Czechoslovakia, Martinů found himself targeted by the Nazi regime, and was forced to leave Paris with his family in the early forties; following a period in exile in France, Spain, and Portugal, Martinů settled in New York in 1941. There, he taught at the Mannes College of Music and Princeton University, and, most importantly, composed some of his most iconic work - from 'Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra' to 'Fantaisies symphoniques'. He returned to France in the early fifties, where he live and worked until his death in 1959.
Through his eclectic and prolific career, Martinů created, with each stroke of the pen, new forms of music-making, by meshing folk music, jazz, neoclassicism, and modernist sensibilities. Despite having composed over 400 works in a wide range of genres, he always offered up something new - and his blazing creative streak can still be felt when hearing him many decades later.
Discover the music of Bohuslav Martinů
Concerts featuring B. Martinů
Available Now
Martinů Meets Mahler
Martinů's First Symphony is paired with Mahler's mighty 'Titan' symphony.
Available Now
A Work of Revolt
Jakub Hrůša joins the Czech Philharmonic as part of their Bohuslav Martinů symphonic cycle at the Rudolfinum, conducting the Czech composer's Third Symphony.
Available Now
Simple is Spectacular
Jakub Hrůša joins the Czech Philharmonic with a performance of Martinů's Second Symphony.
Choose your subscription plan
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is Symphony.live?
Symphony.live is a video streaming platform committed to uniting the world’s orchestras. We believe in demystifying the wonderful world of classical music, striving to make it more approachable for diverse audiences through innovative viewing experiences. Our growing family of orchestras and their stories are at the forefront of everything we do. We curate a diverse array of concerts, playlists, in-depth explorations, and more. Our family of orchestras includes The Cleveland Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and others. This is your chance to get closer than ever to the music you love!
How does the free trial work?
For a 7-day free trial, curious users can try Symphony.live for free. During these 7 days, you can enjoy all of our content in full - and with no strings attached. During the trial period, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to join us or not, so feel free to cancel at any time. There are two types of subscriptions we offer: monthly ($6,99/month) and annual ($49,99/year).
Note: prices may vary per country.
How/where can I watch Symphony.live?
With Symphony.live, you can watch anywhere, anytime. As well as accessing online through Symphony.live, you can take your favorite concert experiences with you wherever you go, thanks to our mobile apps for iOS and Android.
You can also watch directly on your television via Roku, Android TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, and on recent Samsung and LG TV sets.
Currently, we are available in the following locations:
(Europe:) Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom;
(Americas:) Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States of America;
(Asia-Pacific:) Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea;
Note: more platforms and regions will be added soon.
What content does Symphony.live offer?
We would like to think there is something for everyone at Symphony.live. Whether you're a history buff looking to explore some of history's greatest musical minds, a connoisseur of the concert hall looking for your favorite performance, or simply looking to throw some relaxing classical music on in the background while you work, we’ve got you covered. From exclusive concert performances to deep-dive documentaries and our very own Close Up series, we ensure the classical music fan never runs out of content to watch. Plus, our hard-working team of experts regularly curates hand-picked playlists for every mood you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re in the mood for Vivaldi or Zimmer, you will never get bored; we are constantly revamping our collection with new music!
What quality does Symphony.live offer?
We understand the importance of experiencing classical music in mint condition. To help with your immersive experience, we always strive to provide you with the highest quality possible. We also have a selection of 5.1 digital surround sound available. Moreover, through our Wolfgang collaboration, select concert videos come with captions, enriching your viewing experience by providing a deeper understanding of the beautiful music on your screen.
How many devices can stream simultaneously?
You can stream Symphony.live on two devices simultaneously.
How can I cancel?
You can cancel at any time, directly from your profile page on the Symphony.live website.
How can I contact Symphony.live if I need account support and/or troubleshooting?
If you need support about your account, billing details, or encounter problems, please go to our help & support section or send a mail to support@symphony.live