Jan Hanuš
Encyclopedia
Jan Hanuš was a prolific Czech
composer of the 20th century. Almost every category of composition is represented among his works, many of which are overtly political, expressing in turn anti-Nazi, anti-Fascist and anti-Communist sentiments.
while attending school at the Prague Conservatory
, where he graduated in 1940. He subsequently studied at a business school, and then worked as an editor and an editor-in-chief of several major publishing
houses, including F. A. Urbánek & Sons, and Panton (Müller 2001). It is notable to mention that as an editor he played an important role in overseeing the editions of the collected works of Antonín Dvořák
and Zdeněk Fibich
, both of whom he later emulated in his works, as well as the complet works of Leoš Janáček
(Müller 2001). Hanuš's early works principally aimed at the passionately pathetic, the philosophic, and the patriotic, such as are exhibited in his opera
The Flames. The first post-war decade witnessed lyricism, near to national tradition, but since the late fifties a new tendency of dramaticism in his works arose and a musically expressive innovation, reaching as far as the combination of traditional classics with electronics
(exhibited in the opera The Torch of Prometheus) was born. The seventies and eighties were the periods of synthesis of all his preceding advances. Much of Hanuš's work is inspired by the work of Czech authors, most notably Jaroslav Seifert
(Müller 2001).
After the Velvet revolution
in 1989 Hanuš returned all the honours bestowed on him by the Communist regime. In 1999 Václav Havel
rewarded Hanuš with a 'Za zásluhy' medal. During the 1950s Hanuš bravely and publicly defended his friend Rudolf Margolius
who was the victim of the Slánský trial.
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...
composer of the 20th century. Almost every category of composition is represented among his works, many of which are overtly political, expressing in turn anti-Nazi, anti-Fascist and anti-Communist sentiments.
Biography
Hanuš studied composition independently with Otakar JeremiášOtakar Jeremiáš
Otakar Jeremiáš was a Czech composer, conductor and teacher. He was the son of composer Bohuslav Jeremiáš and the brother of composer Jaroslav Jeremiáš.-Life:...
while attending school at the Prague Conservatory
Prague Conservatory
Prague Conservatory, sometimes also Prague Conservatoire, in Czech Pražská konzervatoř, is a Czech secondary school in Prague dedicated to teaching the arts of music and theater acting.- Instruction :...
, where he graduated in 1940. He subsequently studied at a business school, and then worked as an editor and an editor-in-chief of several major publishing
Publishing
Publishing is the process of production and dissemination of literature or information—the activity of making information available to the general public...
houses, including F. A. Urbánek & Sons, and Panton (Müller 2001). It is notable to mention that as an editor he played an important role in overseeing the editions of the collected works of Antonín Dvořák
Antonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
and Zdeněk Fibich
Zdenek Fibich
Zdeněk Fibich was a Czech composer of classical music. Among his compositions are chamber works , symphonic poems, three symphonies, at least seven operas , melodramas including the substantial trilogy Hippodamia,...
, both of whom he later emulated in his works, as well as the complet works of 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...
(Müller 2001). Hanuš's early works principally aimed at the passionately pathetic, the philosophic, and the patriotic, such as are exhibited in his opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
The Flames. The first post-war decade witnessed lyricism, near to national tradition, but since the late fifties a new tendency of dramaticism in his works arose and a musically expressive innovation, reaching as far as the combination of traditional classics with electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
(exhibited in the opera The Torch of Prometheus) was born. The seventies and eighties were the periods of synthesis of all his preceding advances. Much of Hanuš's work is inspired by the work of Czech authors, most notably Jaroslav Seifert
Jaroslav Seifert
Jaroslav Seifert was a Nobel Prize winning Czech writer, poet and journalist.Born in Žižkov, a suburb of Prague in what was then part of Austria-Hungary, his first collection of poems was published in 1921...
(Müller 2001).
After the Velvet revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
in 1989 Hanuš returned all the honours bestowed on him by the Communist regime. In 1999 Václav Havel
Václav Havel
Václav Havel is a Czech playwright, essayist, poet, dissident and politician. He was the tenth and last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic . He has written over twenty plays and numerous non-fiction works, translated internationally...
rewarded Hanuš with a 'Za zásluhy' medal. During the 1950s Hanuš bravely and publicly defended his friend Rudolf Margolius
Rudolf Margolius
Rudolf Margolius was Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, Czechoslovakia , and a co-defendant in the Slánský trial in November 1952....
who was the victim of the Slánský trial.
Operas
- The Flames, Opera-rhapsody on the text by Hanuš and J. Pokorny, op. 14 (1944)
- Salt above Gold, Ballet in five pictures after the popular fairy-tale by Božena NěmcováBožena NemcováBožena Němcová was a Czech writer of the final phase of the Czech National Revival movement.-Biography:...
, op. 28 (1953) - Othello, Dance drama in 7 pictures after Shakespeare, op. 36 (1955)
- The Servant of Two Masters, Opera in 5 pictures after the comedy by Goldoni, libretto J. Pokorny, op. 42 (1958)
- The Torch of Prometheus, Opera in 3 parts on the motifs of AeschylusAeschylusAeschylus was the first of the three ancient Greek tragedians whose work has survived, the others being Sophocles and Euripides, and is often described as the father of tragedy. His name derives from the Greek word aiskhos , meaning "shame"...
, libretto J. Pokorny, op. 54 (1961) - The Fairy-tale of One Night, Opera on the motifs of a fairy-tale from A Thousand and one Nights, libretto J. Pokorny, op. 62 (1961)
- Labyrinth, Dance meditations on the motifs of DanteDANTEDelivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe is a not-for-profit organisation that plans, builds and operates the international networks that interconnect the various national research and education networks in Europe and surrounding regions...
's Divine Comedy, op. 98 (1980) - Contention over a Goddess, Opera burlesque in Prologue and three pictures after AristophanesAristophanesAristophanes , son of Philippus, of the deme Cydathenaus, was a comic playwright of ancient Athens. Eleven of his forty plays survive virtually complete...
, libretto J. Hanuš, op. 105 (1983)
Symphonies
- Symphony No.1 in E major for large orchestra and alto solo, on the text of the sequence Stabat mater by Jacopon da Todi, op. 12 (1942)
- Symphony No.2 in G major, op. 26 (1951)
- Symphony No.3 in D minor (The World's Truth, dedicated to the memory of his friend Rudolf MargoliusRudolf MargoliusRudolf Margolius was Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, Czechoslovakia , and a co-defendant in the Slánský trial in November 1952....
), op.38 (1956) - Symphony No.4, op. 49 (1960)
- Symphony No.5, op. 58 (1964)
- Symphony No.6, op. 92 (1978)
- Symphony No.7, for orchestra, mixed choir, soprano and baritone solo on Latin sacred texts, op. 116 (1989)
Orchestral Works
- 1st Suite from the ballet Salt above Gold, for orchestra, op. 28a (1952)
- Concertante Symphony for organ, harp, timpani and strings, op. 31 (1953)
- Peter and Lucia, Symphonic fantasia after the story by RolandRolandRoland was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. Historically, Roland was military governor of the Breton March, with responsibility for defending the frontier of Francia against the Bretons...
, op. 35 (1955) - 1st Suite from the ballet Othello, op. 36a (1956)
- 2nd Suite from the ballet Othello, op.36b (1956)
- Galeria Goldoni, Partia buffa for small orchestra and prepared piano, op. 42a (1977)
- The Secret Trumpeter, Overture for trumpet solo and orchestra after the theme of WhitemanWhitemanWhiteman may refer to:In places:*Whiteman, Western Australia*Whiteman Airport, Los Angeles, US*Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, USPeople with the surname Whiteman:*Andrew Whiteman, Canadian musician...
, op. 53 (1961) - Fragments from Prometheia, 1st Suite for symphonic orchestra and electronic sounds, op. 54a (1964)
- Concerto doppio for oboe, harp and orchestra, op.59 (1965)
- Concerto grosso for large brass orchestra, op. 71 (1971)
- Prague Nocturnes (Notturni di Praga) for chamber orchestra, op. 75 (1972)
- Three Essays, Symphonic triptych, op. 86 (1975)
- Three Dantesque Preludes from the ballet Labyrinth for orchestra, op. 98a (1983)
- Variations and Collages for orchestra, op. 99 (1982)
- Passacaglia concertante for two violoncellos, celesta and chamber strings, op. 102 (1984)
- Variations in the Manner of Aristophanes, for small orchestra and piano, op. 105a (1987)
- Towers of Babylon, symphonic parable about pride, fall and recognition for orchestra, op. 122 (1995)
- Eulogy, Idyll - one movement sinfonietta for orchestra and soprano solo to words by Ladislav Stehlik, op. 16 (1945)
Solo and Orchestral Works
- Concerto for violin and orchestra, op. 112 (1986)
- Concerto-fantasia for violoncello and orchestra, op. 117 (1990)
Chamber music
- Sonatina for viola and piano, Op.37 (1956)
- Diptych for cello or viola solo, Op.115 (1988–1989)