JEAN MARTINON
Born January 10, 1910, Lyons, France.
Died March 1, 1976, Paris, France.

MUSIC DIRECTOR (1963-1968)

Jean Martinon studied violin at the Paris Conservatory. He continued studies in composition with Albert Roussel and conducting with Charles Munch. During World War II, he enlisted in the French Army and was taken prisoner in 1940. Martinon spent two years in a German camp, where he wrote many compositions, such as Stalag 9 (or Musique d'exil) and Absolve Domine for men's chorus and orchestra (without violins) in memory of French musicians killed in the war.

Upon his release, Martinon conducted the Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris, when he was appointed conductor of the Bordeaux Symphony. During this time, he also appeared with the London Philharmonic, Radio Eireann in Ireland, and with the Israel Philharmonic. Martinon's American debut was with the Boston Symphony in 1957. He also guest conducted in Chicago and received praise for performances of his own Second Symphony (Hymne à la vie). He served as director of the Düsseldorf Symphony from 1960 until 1966.

Martinon was invited to serve as music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1963. He directed the Orchestra away from the Germanic in favor of the French style that was more fluid than bold. Martinon conducted a series of contemporary concerts, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, at the University of Chicago, and he also led a baroque music festival. During the Orchestra's seventy-fifth anniversary season (1965-66), he presented several world premieres, including his own Fourth Symphony (Altitudes).