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Panorama of Czech Music
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES
One of the most renowned Czech music composers other than Smetana, Dvořák and Janáček, whose
birth anniversary is being commemorated in 2004, is indisputably Josef Suk (1874–1935), son-in-law and
student of Antonín Dvořák. Josef Suk was a composer of late Romantic music and a long-time member
of the Czech Quartet. Among his best-known compositions are his Serenade for Strings in E Flat major,
his music to Zeyer’s fairytale Radúz and Mahulena and his symphonic tetralogy Asrael, A Summer’s Tale,
Ripening and Epilogue.
Another composer whose music has entered the international repertory is Bohuslav Martinů
(1890–1959). Among his most noted works is his Surrealist opera Julietta or the Dream Book (1939–1937)
and his Greek Passion (first performed in 1961).
The European public is also becoming aware of the names and works of other Czech composers whose
anniversaries are being celebrated in 2004. Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský (1684–1742) was a Baroque
composer, organist and poet, who spent many years in Italy. Among his most outstanding works is
his ofertorium Laudetur Jesus Christus of 1729. Another distinguished musician of that period was
Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679–1745), known as “the Czech Bach”, who was professionally active in Dresden,
Vienna and Italy. He composed almost 200 pieces and excelled in contrapuntal music. Zelenka’s Sub olea
pacis et palma virtutis was staged during the coronation of Charles VI as King of Bohemia. Audiences
of the Prague Spring International Music Festival in 2004 will have the opportunity to see his work.
František Václav Míča (1694–1744) wrote the first Czech-sung opera On the Origin of Jaroměřice (1730).
The Christmas mass Hey, Master by Czech music teacher Jakub Jan Ryba (1765–1815) is an example
of Baroque church music that drew its inspiration from folk traditions.
Considered as the first national opera of the Romantic period was the one-act piece In the Well (1867)
by Vilém Blodek (1834–1874).
Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859–1951), a composer, influential music critic and publicist (in Hamburg
and Vienna), husband of the renowned soprano Berta Lauterer and a friend of Gustav Mahler,
was a prominent figure of the period following World War I. Foerster wrote 189 musical compositions.
He perceived music as pure spiritual art. He devoted himself particularly to choral and spiritually
motivated works. His opera Eve (1897) is one of his most noteworthy operatic works.
Noted artist and pedagogue Vítězslav Novák (1870–1949) influenced an entire generation of composers.
The symphonic poem Eternal Longing (1904) and his orchestral work Melancholic Love Songs (1906)
are two of the most frequently performed pieces from the period of his Romantic–Impressionist style.
During the inter-war period, Novák attracted attention with his avant-garde ballet Signorina Gioventù
(1926–28). Actor, stage director and music composer Emil František Burian (1904–1959) was a truly
versatile avant-garde artist. In 1933, he founded the D 34 theatre company, and also created a distinctive
type of presentation known as the voice band. He authored Military Service (1935), a stage play with
songs having a social theme.
In 1944, two Prague Jewish composers perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp: these were
Hans Krása (1899–1944), whose most popular work was the children’s opera Brundibár
and Viktor Ullman (1898–1944), author of the opera The Fall of the Antichrist.
Music-lovers throughout the world are becoming acquainted with the works of Miloslav Kabeláč
(1908–1979) from the 1960s, who was deliberately overlooked by the country’s Communist regime
after 1968. Among the most impressive works of this New Music composer are his Mystery of Time,
Eufemias mysterion and Eight Inventions for Percussion Instruments. Most frequently performed among
the music by contemporary composers are the organ compositions of Petr Eben (1929–2007) and
the works of Marek Kopelent (born 1932), Jan Klusák (born 1934), Sylvie Bodorová (born 1954)
and others.
During 2014, the music-loving public will also commemorate the anniversaries of prominent conductors
and interpreters.
Oskar Nedbal (1874–1930) was a conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Tonkünstlerverein in Vienna. In 1923 he became the manager of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava.
From the mid-1930s, Rafael Kubelík (1914–1996) was closely linked to the history of the Czech
Philharmonic. In 1948 he left the country and subsequently became musical director of such prestigious
ensembles as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Covent Garden Opera in London, and the Orchester
des Bayerisches Rundfunks in Munich. After 1989, he performed as a guest conductor in Prague with the
Czech Philharmonic. Soprano Tereza Stolzová (1834–1902) was an extraordinary interpreter of a host
of roles and a friend of the composer Guiseppe Verdi, soprano Jarmila Novotná (1907–1994), famous
soloist in Metropolitan Opera to the year 1956. Milada Šubrtová (1924–2011) was superbly convincing
in the title role in Dvořák’s opera Rusalka. Pianist Rudolf Firkušný (1912–1994), who spent much of his
life abroad, was an esteemed music interpreter especially in the United States. He deserves particular
credit for his promotion of the piano compositions of Bohuslav Martinů.
The intention of The Year of Czech Music 2014 is to celebrate, as well as to foster, remarkable
personalities in other musical genres. Among the most noteworthy are the jazz singer Eva Olmerová
(1934–1993), multi-instrumentalist and composer Karel Velebný (1931–1989), protest-song singer and
political exile Karel Kryl (1944–1994) and, from the younger generation, the jazz musician Pavel Klikar
(born 1954), who founded the Musica Antiqua Bohemica ensemble which places emphasis on the
authentic interpretation of Baroque music.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Czech Republic is rich in historical monuments linked with music.
The Basilica of St. George at Prague Castle \\ Archival records
National Theatre \\ This Neo-Renaissance building decorated
from as early as the 12th century attest to spiritual plays with musical inserts
staged by the Benedictine order with its monastery at the Prague Castle
premises. > www.hrad.cz
by young Czech artists symbolizes the Czech Revival movement.
> www.narodni-divadlo.cz
The Archiepiscopal Chateau and Gardens in Kroměříž \\
The Rudolfinum \\ This Neo-Renaissance structure, originally bought
Fine musical archives are kept in the Archiepiscopal Chateau in Kroměříž,
which is surrounded by a complex of gardens. The chateau houses an
impressive picture gallery of European significance. UNESCO has listed
the chateau and gardens as a World Heritage site. > www.azz.cz
by the Czech Insurance Company as a House of Artists, later it served as
a building of the Parliament, now houses the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
and the exhibition premises of the National Gallery in Prague. Most concerts
of the Prague Spring International Music Festival are performed in the
Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum. > www.ceskafilharmonie.cz
The Baroque Theatre in Český Krumlov \\ A unique, fully
preserved outdoor theatre and archive devoted to the theatre´s authentic
repertories and original costumes. The Český Krumlov International Music
Festival is held annually at the chateau and park.
> www.auviex.cz > www.ckrumlov.cz
The Municipal House \\ This Art Nouveau building is home to the
Prague Symphony Orchestra. Its Smetana Hall is Prague´s second most
frequently used historic concert hall, where prestigious music performances,
primarily orchestral concerts are performed.
> www.obecni-dum.cz > www.fok.cz
Jaroměřice nad Rokytnou \\ The first Czech-sung opera
On the Origin of Jaroměřice by Václav Míča premiered in the Ancestors´ Hall
of this miniature replica of the Palace of Versailles in 1730.
> www.zamek-jaromerice.cz
The Antonín Dvořák Museum
> www.nm.cz/Ceske-muzeum-hudby/Oddeleni-CMH/
Muzeum-Antonina-Dvoraka/
The Estates Theatre \\ From the end of the 18th century, this
The Bedřich Smetana Museum
historical Rococo building was the centre of Prague’s musical life.
Don Giovanni, an opera written on request, was enthusiastically welcomed
there in 1787. > www.narodni-divadlo.cz
> www.nm.cz/Ceske-muzeum-hudby/Oddeleni-CMH/
Muzeum-Bedricha-Smetany/
EVENTS
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Prague SPring
International Music Festival,
founded in 1946
> www.festival.cz
Smetana LitomyšL
International Opera Festival,
founded in 1949
> www.smetanovalitomysl.cz
moravian autumn
Brno International Music Festival,
founded in 1965
> www.mhf-brno.cz/moravsky-podzim
Janáček may
International Music Festival,
founded in 1975
> www.janackuvmaj.cz
čeSký krumLov
International Music Festival,
founded in 1991
> www.czechmusicfestival.com
StringS of autumn
International Music Festival,
founded in 1995
> www.strunypodzimu.cz
Dvořák Prague
International Music Festival,
founded in 2008
> www.dvorakovapraha.cz
ConCentuS moraviae /
CzeCh DreamS
International Music Festival,
founded 1995/2004
> www.concentus-moraviae.cz
> www.ceskesny.cz
FOLKLORE
JAZZ
WORLD
StrážniCe
International Folklore Festival,
founded in 1945
> www.nulk.cz
internationaL Jazz feStivaL
Founded in 1978
> www.jazzfestivalpraha.cz
CoLourS of oStrava
International Multi-genre Festival,
founded in 2002
> www.colours.cz
SiLeSian DayS
International Folklore Festival,
founded in1965
> www.slezskedny.wz.cz
internationaL BagPiPe feStivaL
International Folklore Festival,
founded in 1987
> www.folklornisdruzeni.cz/
mezinarodni-dudacky-festival
internationaL Jazz feStivaL
karLovy vary
Founded in 1983
> www.jazzfest.cz
Year of Czech Music 2014
> www.yearofczechmusic.cz
Curator of the exposition:
Lenka Dohnalová
panorama of czech music