author
Frederick Herman Martens
1874–1932
Known for lively writing on music and for bringing folklore into English, this American journalist and translator moved easily between concert halls and storybooks. His work ranges from interviews with major musicians to collections of fairy tales from Norway and the wider world.
1 Audiobook
Violin Mastery: Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers
by Frederick Herman Martens
About the author
Born in New York City in 1874, Frederick Herman Martens was an American music journalist, critic, and author who wrote extensively about performers, singing, and violin playing. He published books on musical subjects and contributed writing to periodicals, building a reputation as a clear interpreter of music for general readers.
He also worked as a translator and reteller of traditional stories. Catalog and library records connect his name with books such as The Norwegian Fairy Book and other collections that helped introduce international folklore to English-speaking audiences.
Martens died in 1932. Today he is remembered both for his music writing and for the way his translations and adaptations carried older tales into new hands.