Martinu's Mysterious Accident: Essays in Memory of Michael Henderson (4) (Studies in Czech Music) - Tapa blanda

Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959)was one of the most prolific composers in the 20th century. Despite the fact that he lived for several years in the United States and had many of his works premiered in this country, he still stands as an enigma. This collection of essays by an international group of experts, is dedicated to the memory of Michael Henderson, who died in 1994 at the age of 47. Henderson was in the process of writing a biography of the composer. These essays include a range of new approaches to Martinu: Judy Mabary gives a concise history of Martinu's collaboration with choreographer Eric Hawkins, The Strangler; Ales Brezina looks penetratingly at the often tortured relationship between Martinu and the Czechoslovak government; and Michael Beckerman explores questions of construction in Martinu's Piano Concerto No. 2. Shorter pieces by Czech scholars Isa Popelka and Jaroslav Mihule are also included. In addition, there will be an essay by Michael Henderson on "Martinu's Mysterious Accident" which will shed light on one of the most harrowing events in the composer's life.

Michael Henderson was in the midst of writing a new biography of Bohuslav MartinC9 when he was struck down by illness. In this volume of essays an international group of writers continues Henderson's work by looking closely at aspects of MartinC9's life and compositions. Since Brian Large's biography written more than a quarter century ago, there has been no book dealing with this prolific and fascinating figure. The essays in this collection range from an analytical examination of MartinC9's 2nd Piano Concerto to Henderson's investigation of MartinC9's mysterious accident that almost ended his career in the late 1940's. MartinC9's relationship to governmental authority is explored, and such lesser-known works as The Strangler, written for Martha Graham, are discussed in vivid terms. Contributors to this volume include Michael Beckerman, Judith Mabary, Ales Brezina and Jan Smaczny.