PAN PIPES
Spring 2020
9
A
World
of
Music
The view from the tower
apartment of St. Jakub Church
in Polička in the Czech Republic.
PAN PIPES
Spring 2020
9
around the perimeter walls in the main room
to see the contents displayed in huge glass-
covered cases with brightly-colored frames.
Each part is divided into several sections
with historical objects on view and interesting
narratives. A reflection on the glass prevented
reading some descriptions easily. However, reading my new extensively
illustrated copy of A Concise Guide to the Life and Works of Bohuslav
Martinů (2008) by Jaroslav Mihule, the Martinů specialist mentioned
above, has facilitated my learning tremendously.
Martinů had to flee Paris aer the Nazis blacklisted him for
supporting the Czech resistance. His Memorial to Lidice is a poignant
tribute to this village aer the horrific Nazi massacre and deportation
there.
Years ago, I enjoyed performing Martinů's Trio for Flute, Cello &
Piano, H. 300. at inspired me to visit Polička. Now I look forward
to returning and even climbing those stairs again. Martinů never
came back to do that aer he le Polička. Because he lived in exile, he
never saw his old home again. However, twenty years aer his death in
Switzerland, his remains were transferred to the family grave in the local
cemetery. His tombstone is visible from the church tower of his birth.
Jayne I. Hanlin is an initiate of Alpha Omicron and
current member of the St. Louis Alumnae chapter.
Mrs. Hanlin, the sister of famed pianist Malcolm
Frager, is the co-author of Learning
Latin Through Mythology (Cambridge
University Press, 1991).
For more information, visit: www.cbmpolicka.cz/en
