Josef Vorel
Encyclopedia
Josef Vorel (13 November 1801 – 19 December 1874) was a Czech priest and composer
. He is known mainly as a composer of songs and choirs in the folk style
.
Vorel was born in Opočno
, the son of a teacher. He began his musical training at an early age. He learned the piano
, viola
and organ
at age five. From 1813 he studied at gymnasium
in Rychnov nad Kněžnou
, where he founded and led a student brass
orchestra. During his theological studies
in Prague
he met and befriended the writer and translator Karel Alois Vinařický, an important exponent of the Czech cultural scene during the period of the Czech National Revival
. He occasionally attempted to compose cantata
s to Vinařický's words.
Following his ordination
in 1825, he briefly served as a chaplain in Cerhovice
and Žebrák. In 1835 he moved to Zdice
, where he served as a priest for the rest of his life. During his active career he maintained contacts with several Czech artists and poets such as Josef Jungmann
, Šebestián Hněvkovský and brothers Jan and Vojtěch Nejedlý. He died in Zdice
.
Vorel's musical output is influenced by the patriotic atmosphere of the Czech National Revival. Some of his songs became popular due to nationalistic view and openly declared affection to the native country.
Choirs
Singspiel
Incidental music
Sacred music
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...
. He is known mainly as a composer of songs and choirs in the folk style
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
.
Vorel was born in Opočno
Opocno
Opočno is a small town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic.- Famous natives :* František Kupka, painter* Jaroslav Plašil, football player* František Zdeněk Skuherský, composer* Luboš Sluka, composer- External links :*...
, the son of a teacher. He began his musical training at an early age. He learned the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
at age five. From 1813 he studied at gymnasium
Gymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
in Rychnov nad Kněžnou
Rychnov nad Knežnou
Rychnov nad Kněžnou is a town in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 12,000 inhabitants.This is a small town, with a sprinkling of other small towns in the vicinity. The nearest big city is Hradec Králové which is about 32 km to the west...
, where he founded and led a student brass
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
orchestra. During his theological studies
Theological Studies
Theological Studies is a quarterly academic journal published by the Society of Jesus in the United States. It is published at Marquette University....
in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
he met and befriended the writer and translator Karel Alois Vinařický, an important exponent of the Czech cultural scene during the period of the Czech National Revival
Czech National Revival
Czech National Revival was a cultural movement, which took part in the Czech lands during the 18th and 19th century. The purpose of this movement was to revive Czech language, culture and national identity...
. He occasionally attempted to compose cantata
Cantata
A cantata is a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment, typically in several movements, often involving a choir....
s to Vinařický's words.
Following his ordination
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
in 1825, he briefly served as a chaplain in Cerhovice
Cerhovice
Cerhovice is a market town and municipality in Beroun District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. -References:*This article was initially translated from the Czech Wikipedia....
and Žebrák. In 1835 he moved to Zdice
Zdice
Zdice is a small town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic in the Beroun District....
, where he served as a priest for the rest of his life. During his active career he maintained contacts with several Czech artists and poets such as Josef Jungmann
Josef Jungmann
Josef Jungmann was a Bohemian poet and linguist, and a leading figure of the Czech National Revival. Together with Josef Dobrovský, he is considered to be a creator of the modern Czech language.-Life:Jungmann was the sixth child of a cobbler. In his youth, he wanted to become a priest...
, Šebestián Hněvkovský and brothers Jan and Vojtěch Nejedlý. He died in Zdice
Zdice
Zdice is a small town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic in the Beroun District....
.
Vorel's musical output is influenced by the patriotic atmosphere of the Czech National Revival. Some of his songs became popular due to nationalistic view and openly declared affection to the native country.
Selected compositions
Songs- Návrat rytíře (published in Věnec, 1836)
- Píseň letní (ibidem)
- Píseň zimní (ibidem)
- Na basu (Věnec zpěvů vlasteneckých, 1837)
- Růže tetínská or Nad Berounkou pod Tetínem (libretto by Josef Krasoslav Chmelenský, 1826, second version 1836)
- Společná or Že peníze světem vládnou (1838)
- Šestero písní (1834)
- Tři básně (1842)
- Cikánova píšťalka (published in Zlatý zpěvník I.)
Choirs
- Dva čtverozpěvy (1843)
- Tři básně (1858)
- Čtyři čtverozpěvy (1861)
- Čechie (published in Hlahol, 1864)
Singspiel
- Sládci (libretto by Karel Jaromír ErbenKarel Jaromír ErbenKarel Jaromír Erben was a Czech historian, poet and writer of the mid-19th century, best known for his collection Kytice , which contains poems based on traditional and folkloric themes....
, 1836/37)
Incidental music
- Hastroš
- Loketský zvon and Valdek (plays by Václav Kliment KlicperaVáclav Kliment KlicperaVáclav Kliment Klicpera was a Czech playwright, author, and poet. He was one of the first presenters of Czech drama, and was especially influential in the foundation of comedic Czech theater....
) - Husité u Naumburku
Sacred music
- Deset gradualií
- Pastorella
- Animas fidelium
- Te Deum
- Regina coeli