Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

January 10, 1910 in Lyon, France

Death

:

March 1, 1976 in Paris, France

Period

:

Contemporary

 

Jean Martinon was a French conductor and composer who was born on January 10, 1910, in Lyon, France. He was the son of a violinist and began his musical education at a young age. Martinon studied at the Lyon Conservatory and later at the Paris Conservatory, where he won first prize in conducting in 1932. After completing his studies, Martinon began his career as a conductor in France, working with various orchestras and opera companies. In 1938, he was appointed as the conductor of the Orchestre National de Lyon, a position he held until 1940 when he was drafted into the French army. During World War II, Martinon served in the French Resistance and was captured by the Germans in 1944. He was sent to a concentration camp but managed to escape and return to France after the war ended. After the war, Martinon resumed his career as a conductor and became the music director of the Bordeaux Symphony Orchestra in 1946. He also worked as the principal conductor of the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française from 1951 to 1957. In 1957, Martinon was appointed as the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1963. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in many notable performances, including the American premiere of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13 and the world premiere of Martinu's Symphony No. 6. Martinon was also known for his interpretations of the music of French composers, particularly Debussy and Ravel. He recorded many of their works with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé and Debussy's La Mer. In addition to his work as a conductor, Martinon was also a composer. He wrote several orchestral works, including a Symphony No. 1 and a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. His music was often influenced by his French heritage and was characterized by its lyrical melodies and colorful orchestration. Throughout his career, Martinon received many honors and awards for his contributions to classical music. In 1961, he was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, one of France's highest honors. He was also awarded the Grand Prix du Disque for his recordings of Ravel's music with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Despite his success, Martinon's tenure with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was not without controversy. He clashed with some members of the orchestra over his interpretation of certain works, and his strict rehearsal schedule was criticized by some musicians. In 1963, Martinon resigned as the music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and returned to France. He continued to conduct and compose music until his death on March 1, 1976, in Paris. Today, Jean Martinon is remembered as one of the most important French conductors of the 20th century. His recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are still highly regarded, and his compositions continue to be performed and recorded by orchestras around the world.

More....