Martinez, Odaline de la

Martinez, Odaline de la, Cuban-born American conductor, pianist, and composer; b. Matanzas, Oct. 31, 1949. She emigrated to the U.S. in 1961 and in 1971 became a naturalized American citizen. Following training at Tulane Univ. (B.F.A., 1972), she settled in London and studied composition with Paul Patterson at the Royal Academy of Music (1972–76) and with Reginald Smith Brindle at the Univ. of Surrey (M.M., 1977); subsequently she pursued postgraduate studies in computer music (1977–80). In 1976 she helped organize and was conductor of the chamber ensemble Lontano, with which she toured extensively. In 1981 she also organized the Contemporary Chamber Orch., for which she served as principal conductor. Among her various awards were a Guggenheim followship (1980–81) and the Villa-Lobos Medal (1987). Martinez has embraced an inclusive course as a composer in which she utilizes various styles and techniques.

Works

dramatic: opera:Sister Aimee, on the life of the American evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson (1978–83). orch.: Phasing for Chamber Orch. (1975). chamber: Little Piece for Flute (1975); A Moment’s Madness for Flute and Piano (1977); Improvisations for Violin (1977); Litanies for Flutes, Harp, and String Trio (1981); Asonancias for Violin (1982); Suite for English Horn and Cello (1982); String Quartet (1984–85). keyboard: p i a n o:Colour Studies (1978). o r g a n:Eos (1976). vocal: 5 Imagist Songs for Soprano, Clarinet, and Piano (1974); After Sylvia for Soprano and Piano (1976); Absalom for Countertenor, 2 Tenors, Baritone, and Bass (1977); Psalmos for Chorus, Brass Quintet, Timpani, and Organ (1977); 2 American Madrigals for Chorus (1979); Cauciones for Soprano, Percussion, and Piano (1983); Cantos de amor for Soprano, Piano, and String Trio (1985). other:Hallucination for Tape (1975); Visions and Dreams for Tape (1977–78); Lamento for Amplified Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, and Tape (1978); 3 Studies for Percussion and Electronics (1980).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire