Bohuslav Martinů was a prominent Czech composer born on December 8, 1890, in Polička, Bohemia, then part of Austria-Hungary (now the Czech Republic). He passed away on August 28, 1959, in Liestal, Switzerland. Martinů is celebrated for his modern classical compositions, which skillfully blend French and Czech influences.

Martinů's early musical education began with violin lessons at the age of six, and despite being expelled from the Prague Conservatory in 1910 for negligence, he continued to develop his musical talents. He joined the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra in 1913 and began composing after being inspired by Debussy's "Pelléas et Mélisande."

In 1923, Martinů moved to Paris to study under Albert Roussel. During his time in Paris, he absorbed various influences, including jazz and the works of Stravinsky and Les Six, which led him to adopt a neoclassical style. His works from this period include "Half-Time" (1924) and "La Bagarre" (1927), inspired by contemporary events.

With the onset of World War II, Martinů fled to the United States in 1941, where he composed prolifically and taught at Princeton University and the Berkshire Music Center. His significant works from this period include the "Concerto Grosso" (1941) and the "Double Concerto for Two String Orchestras" (1940), reflecting his mastery of polyphonic writing and Czech national themes.

Martinů's compositions encompass six symphonies, numerous concerti, operas, ballets, and chamber works, often incorporating Czech folk elements. His operas "Juliette" and "The Greek Passion" are particularly esteemed. After spending most of his post-war years in the United States, he returned to Europe in 1957, serving as a composer in residence at the American Academy in Rome before settling in Switzerland.

Bohuslav Martinů's legacy is marked by his innovative integration of Czech folk music into a modern classical framework, earning him a place among the most significant Czech composers of the 20th century.