Search - Bohuslav Martinu, Jiri Kout, Symphony Orchestra St. Gallen :: Martinu: Fantaisies symphoniques; Fresques; Juliette

Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959) is among the well-known 20th century composers who developed a new musical language while still remaining in a tonal framework. His Symphony No. 6, subtitled "Fantaisies symphoniques," had a triumphal success at its premiere in Boston in 1955 under Charles Munch. The suite Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca was inspired by eight frescoes Martinu saw in the Franciscan church in Arezzo, Italy. The "Juliette" Orchestra Suite is taken from the score of his haunting 1937 opera Juliette. Founded in 1877, the Symphony Orchestra St. Gallen is one of Switzerland?s oldest professional orchestras. Jiri Kout, Music Director of the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra since 1996, is originally from Prague. He has had a distinguished career in Germany, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the opera houses of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and all the major cities of Europe. He also frequently appears with the NHK Symphony in Tokyo. In 2004, Jiri Kout was given the honor of opening the Prague Spring Festival, and in 2004/05 he has been conducting the Jubilee concert for this renowned event.