He grew up in South Minneapolis with his mother, Henrietta, his father Martin, his brother Martin Jr, and his sister Janelle.
At the age of seventeen he started college, and became an instructor of music at the University of Minnesota, where he also studied architecture. At 22 he received a Ph.D. in musicology and Renaissance studies, and then he moved to Europe.
He subsequently received diplomas in conducting, piano and composition as a member of the Studio for Electronic Music of the Musikhochschule of Cologne.
His compositions have been performed throughout Europe and several have been the subjects of studies in books and journals.
For his organ playing he was awarded the Bach Prize of Leipzig.
His performances as keyboard soloist on all five keyboard instruments (piano, clavichord, harpsichord, fortepiano and organ) as well as his conducting engagements have been acclaimed internationally and his recordings have been awarded international prizes.
He assisted at opera productions primarily in Germany and for the Salzburg Festival and began his operatic conducting career for the Wiesbaden Festival.
He was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Neue Bach Gesellschaft, Leipzig (New Bach Society).
His funeral was held on April 6, 2023 at the Church of San Miniato al Monte.
He grew up in South Minneapolis with his mother, Henrietta, his father Martin, his brother Martin Jr, and his sister Janelle.
At the age of seventeen he started college, and became an instructor of music at the University of Minnesota, where he also studied architecture. At 22 he received a Ph.D. in musicology and Renaissance studies, and then he moved to Europe.
He subsequently received diplomas in conducting, piano and composition as a member of the Studio for Electronic Music of the Musikhochschule of Cologne.
His compositions have been performed throughout Europe and several have been the subjects of studies in books and journals.
For his organ playing he was awarded the Bach Prize of Leipzig.
His performances as keyboard soloist on all five keyboard instruments (piano, clavichord, harpsichord, fortepiano and organ) as well as his conducting engagements have been acclaimed internationally and his recordings have been awarded international prizes.
He assisted at opera productions primarily in Germany and for the Salzburg Festival and began his operatic conducting career for the Wiesbaden Festival.
He was recently re-elected to the Board of Directors of the Neue Bach Gesellschaft, Leipzig (New Bach Society).
His funeral was held on April 6, 2023 at the Church of San Miniato al Monte.