Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959). Czech composer and musician
Bohuslav Martinů was a Czech composer who worked in a neo-classical style. He studied violin at the Prague Conservatory, before joining the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and studying composition with Josef Suk. His style assimilated the characteristics of Czech folk music and jazz into his neo-classical style, evident in his great volume of ballet scores. His ballets include Noc (1914), Christmas Carol (1921), Who is the Most Powerful in the World? (1922), The Kitchen Revue (1927), The Judgement of Paris (1935) and The Strangler (1948). Martinů also composed the operas Juliette and The Greek Passion, and his orchestral work has been used in choreography by Antony Tudor (Echoing of Trumpets) and Kenneth MacMillan (Anastasia and Valley of Shadows).