Earlier this year, Signum Classics released “the first complete modern recording of the surviving keyboard music of Marianna Martines.” The recording features pianist Idith Meshulam Korman performing with the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey.
Martines was an Austrian singer, composer and pianist of the Classical period. She began piano lessons at the age of 7, learning from Joseph Haydn, who lived in the same building as her family. She also received singing lessons with Nicola Porpora, also a resident of their building, who later took Haydn on as an assistant as well. (This leads me to wonder about noise complaints in their building, but I digress.)
Understanding Wisconsin, Together.
WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.
Conductor Ponchione-Bailey said, “There is a gorgeous timelessness to Martines’s music which transcends instruments, performance styles and concert settings—inviting listeners into a sound world that is immediately rewarding and deeply enjoyable.”
Her keyboard concertos are light and accessible, written in the Italian style. The pieces are definitely timeless — one can imagine them played in an 18th century parlor or in the trailer of a new movie.
“Martines: The Complete Keyboard Works” was released in April 2026 on Signum Records.
Wisconsin Public Radio, © Copyright 2026, Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.wpr.org ’
