Jul 17 2008
Vítězslav Novák
Vítězslav Novák
Vítězslav Novák was one of the most prominent Czech composers and pedagogues and one of the foremost figures in the Neo-Romanticism movement. Music of Novak is considered to be an early example of Czech modernism.
He studied piano in a conservatory, attended Antonín Dvořák’s master-classes in composition. His own style was considered as early origins of modernist movement. To make his leaving he was giving private piano classes and than started to teach at the Prague Conservatory himself. He was greatly involved in Prague musical life, participating in different talks and disputes.
In 1930s he created most of his compositions. After the collapse of democracy in 1939 and Nazi protectorate insurance, the retired professor gained significant reliability among his younger Czech colleagues through the performance of several patriotic and morale-boosting works, meant as a musical form of resistance.
Thought the popularity of the romantic movement declined after World War I, Novak remained a very important personality in Czech musical life.
Monument of Vítězslav Novák in Petřín Park in Prague elects a tall man with a stick. He wears a long coat and thoughtfully looks into the future.