Bretislav Bakala
Encyclopedia
Břetislav Bakala was a Czech
conductor
, pianist
, and composer
.
Bakala was born at Fryšták
, Moravia
. He studied conducting at the Brno Conservatory
with František Neumann, composition with Leoš Janáček
at the organ school. In 1922 he continued his studies at the Master school at the Conservatory with Vilém Kurz
. From 1920 to 1925 and from 1929 to 1931 he worked as a conductor of the National Theatre in Brno. From 1925 he worked for a short time as an organist in Philadelphia in the USA, and from 1926 he became a pianist and conductor of the Czech Radio Orchestra in Brno. In 1951 he began teaching at the newly founded Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts
. From 1956 he worked as a director and conductor of the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
. Bakala's interest was concentrated on the works of Janáček. In 1921 he staged the premiere of The Diary of One Who Disappeared
, in 1930 he conducted the premiere of the opera Z mrtvého domu
in Brno. He finished this opera in cooperation with Osvald Chlubna
. He studied also Janáček's seldom performed operas The Beginning of a Romance
(1931) and Osud
(1934). He made the piano reductions of his works. He edited the arrangements of Moravian folk songs. His wife, soprano Marie Bakalová-Šíšová was a member of the Brno Opera as well as a concert singer.
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
.
Bakala was born at Fryšták
Fryšták
Fryšták is a town in Zlín Region of Czech Republic. It lies between cities Zlín and Holešov, on the Fryštácký stream, under the Hostýnsko-vsetínská hornatina, on the interface between Moravian Wallachia and Haná.-History:...
, Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
. He studied conducting at the Brno Conservatory
Brno Conservatory
The Brno Conservatory, also Brno Conservatoire , was established in Brno on 25 September 1919 by Moravian composer Leoš Janáček.- History :...
with František Neumann, composition with Leoš Janáček
Leoš Janácek
Leoš Janáček was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and all Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical style. Until 1895 he devoted himself mainly to folkloristic research and his early musical output was influenced by...
at the organ school. In 1922 he continued his studies at the Master school at the Conservatory with Vilém Kurz
Vilém Kurz
Vilém Kurz was a Czech pianist and piano teacher, a professor at the State Conservatory in Lwów and Vienna, and Prague Conservatory...
. From 1920 to 1925 and from 1929 to 1931 he worked as a conductor of the National Theatre in Brno. From 1925 he worked for a short time as an organist in Philadelphia in the USA, and from 1926 he became a pianist and conductor of the Czech Radio Orchestra in Brno. In 1951 he began teaching at the newly founded Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts
Janácek Academy of Music and Performing Arts
Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts is a university-level school in Brno in the Czech Republic.The Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts is one of two academies of music and the dramatic arts in the Czech Republic...
. From 1956 he worked as a director and conductor of the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra based in Brno, the Czech Republic. Its predecessor was the Czech Symphony Orchestra, dating from the 1870's. The current Brno Philharmonic was formed in 1956 with the merger of the Radio Orchestra and the Brno Region Symphony Orchestra, with Břetislav...
. Bakala's interest was concentrated on the works of Janáček. In 1921 he staged the premiere of The Diary of One Who Disappeared
The Diary of One Who Disappeared
The Diary of One Who Disappeared is a song cycle for tenor, alto, three female voices and piano, written by Czech composer Leoš Janáček.- Background :...
, in 1930 he conducted the premiere of the opera Z mrtvého domu
From the House of the Dead
From the House of the Dead is an opera by Leoš Janáček, in three acts. The libretto was translated and adapted by the composer from the novel by Dostoyevsky...
in Brno. He finished this opera in cooperation with Osvald Chlubna
Osvald Chlubna
Osvald Chlubna was a prominent Czech composer. Intending originally to study engineering, Chlubna switched his major and from 1914 to 1924, he studied composition with Leoš Janáček. Until 1953, he worked as a clerk. Later, he taught at the Organ School in Brno for many years. He worked in many art...
. He studied also Janáček's seldom performed operas The Beginning of a Romance
Pocátek Románu
The Beginning of a Romance is an opera by Leoš Janáček to a Czech libretto by Jaroslav Tichý after a short story by Gabriela Preissová, itself suggested by a painting by Jaroslav Věšín...
(1931) and Osud
Destiny (Janácek)
Destiny is an opera in three acts by Leoš Janáček to a Czech libretto by the composer and Fedora Bartošová. Janáček began the work in 1903 and completed it in 1907. The inspiration for the opera came from a visit by Janáček in the summer of 1903, after the death of his daughter Olga, to the spa...
(1934). He made the piano reductions of his works. He edited the arrangements of Moravian folk songs. His wife, soprano Marie Bakalová-Šíšová was a member of the Brno Opera as well as a concert singer.