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Born: September 28, 1928 - Prague, Czechoslovakia
Died: May 19, 2021 - Vienna, Austria |
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The Czech conductor, Martin Turnovský, studied conducting at the Prague Academy of Music where he was a pupil of Karel Ančerl (former Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). Later he studied also with George Szell. In 1958 he won the 1st Prize at die International Conductors Competition in Besanfon, France.
By the end of the 1960, following a period of work and guest performances with a number of Czech orchestras (e.g. he was conductor of the Brno State Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor ot the Pilsen Radio Orchestra: 1963-1966), Martin Turnovský ranked among Czechoslovakia's most prominent conductors. It was a happy and productive period for him, as documented by successful and respected grammophone recordings with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra as well as with the Prague Symphony Orchestra (e.g. Martinu's Fourth Symphony - awarded by Grand Prix du Disque, Mozart's and Haydn's symphonies, and a number of other works).
After the Soviet invasion in August 1968, Martin Turnovský decided to emigrate to Austria. His international career is truly impressive, as documented by the many prominent posts he held. He served for two seasons as General Music Director of the Dresden State Opera and of the Dresden Staatskapelle (1966-1968). He was also Permanent Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (1960-1968). In 1975 he was appointed Director of the Norwegian State Opera in Oslo (1975-1980) and between 1979 and 1982 he held the same post in the Bonn Opera. Later he was Chief Conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra (1992-1995). He was involved in opera productions in the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, the Staatsoper Stuttgart, the Royal Opera in Stockholm, the Theatre du Capital Toulouse, the Welsh National Opera, and a number of other opera houses.
Martin Turnovský conducted many of the world's foremost symphony orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra, and many more. |
