Ladislav Černý
Encyclopedia
Ladislav Černý was a Czech violist
and teacher.
at the Prague Conservatory
(1906–1912) with Ferdinand Lachner and Jindřich Bastař, and chamber music with František Spilka. He became assistant concert master of the Czech Philharmonic (1916–1918) and in 1919 was accepted into the opera orchestra in Ljubljana
, not as a violinist, but as principal violist (solo violist). While in Ljubljana, he taught at the Ljubljana Conservatory (Glasbena matica) and also founded the Zika Quartet (Zikovo kvarteto) in 1920 along with fellow countrymen Richard Zika (violin) and Ladislav Zika (cello), and Slovene violinist Karel Sancin. The Quartet returned to Prague
in 1921 where it was called the Czechoslovak Quartet, and from 1929, the Prague Quartet
. Černý remained as the violist of the ensemble for 46 years giving more than 1300 performances until it disbanded in the mid-1950s.
Černý was a pioneer for the viola in the former Czechoslovakia
. He enjoyed a solo career often performing the solo viola part of Berlioz
's Harold en Italie and other repertoire. In 1922 at the Festival of Contemporary Music
in Donaueschingen
, Černý befriended Paul Hindemith
and they became life-long friends. Hindemith dedicated his Sonata for Solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 1 (1922) to Černý.
From 1940 to 1952, Černý taught viola and chamber music at the Prague Conservatory, becoming Professor of Viola in 1945. Concurrently, he taught the same courses at the Academy of Performing Arts
from 1946 to 1958, initially as Associate Professor, then later when his mobility deteriorated in 1952, he taught from his apartment, which in time became a major artistic meeting place. Černý's numerous students include violists Lubomír Malý, Karel Řehák and Karel Doležal, as well as many chamber musicians.
Černý had a constant devotion to Czech avant-garde technical innovations which blossomed in 1966. He performed works by Miroslav Krejčí, Pavel Bořkovec
, Alois Hába
, Iša Krejčí
, Jindřich Feld
, Jiří Jaroch, Jiří Matys, Josef Matěj, Jan Kapr
and Jan Tausinger
among others. Numerous compositions were initiated by Černý and many were dedicated to him. Černý's viola playing excelled in virtuoso technique, with remarkable temperament, beauty and expressiveness of tone.
In 1955 Černý was named an Artist of Merit
(Zasloužilý umělec) and in 1971 People's Artist
(Národní umělec).
Černý owned and played a very large German viola which was once thought to be made by Giovanni Battista Grancino
.
Chamber music
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 teacher.
Biography
Černý studied violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
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 :...
(1906–1912) with Ferdinand Lachner and Jindřich Bastař, and chamber music with František Spilka. He became assistant concert master of the Czech Philharmonic (1916–1918) and in 1919 was accepted into the opera orchestra in Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
, not as a violinist, but as principal violist (solo violist). While in Ljubljana, he taught at the Ljubljana Conservatory (Glasbena matica) and also founded the Zika Quartet (Zikovo kvarteto) in 1920 along with fellow countrymen Richard Zika (violin) and Ladislav Zika (cello), and Slovene violinist Karel Sancin. The Quartet returned to 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...
in 1921 where it was called the Czechoslovak Quartet, and from 1929, the Prague Quartet
Prague Quartet
The Prague Quartet was a string quartet based in Prague that was in existence from 1920 to 1955. Along with Ševčík Quartet and Bohemian Quartet, it was one of the most important chamber ensembles of the interwar years.- History :...
. Černý remained as the violist of the ensemble for 46 years giving more than 1300 performances until it disbanded in the mid-1950s.
Černý was a pioneer for the viola in the former Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. He enjoyed a solo career often performing the solo viola part of Berlioz
Hector Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
's Harold en Italie and other repertoire. In 1922 at the Festival of Contemporary Music
Donaueschingen Festival
The Donaueschingen Festival is a festival for new music that takes place every October in the small town of Donaueschingen...
in Donaueschingen
Donaueschingen
Donaueschingen is a German town in the Black Forest in the southwest of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in the Schwarzwald-Baar Kreis. It stands near the confluence of the two sources of the river Danube ....
, Černý befriended Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
and they became life-long friends. Hindemith dedicated his Sonata for Solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 1 (1922) to Černý.
From 1940 to 1952, Černý taught viola and chamber music at the Prague Conservatory, becoming Professor of Viola in 1945. Concurrently, he taught the same courses at the Academy of Performing Arts
Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is a university level school of music, dance, drama, film, TV and multi-media studies.- Faculties :*Film and TV School - FAMU*Music Faculty - HAMU*Theatre Faculty - DAMU-Notable alumni:...
from 1946 to 1958, initially as Associate Professor, then later when his mobility deteriorated in 1952, he taught from his apartment, which in time became a major artistic meeting place. Černý's numerous students include violists Lubomír Malý, Karel Řehák and Karel Doležal, as well as many chamber musicians.
Černý had a constant devotion to Czech avant-garde technical innovations which blossomed in 1966. He performed works by Miroslav Krejčí, Pavel Bořkovec
Pavel Borkovec
Pavel Bořkovec was a Czech composer and music teacher.Bořkovec studied at the Prague Conservatory under Josef Suk. From 1946 to 1967 he taught at the Academy of Musical Arts in Prague. His students there included Pavel Blatný, Jiří Pauer, Vladimír Sommer, Petr Eben, Jan Klusák and Jan Truhlář...
, Alois Hába
Alois Hába
Alois Hába was a Czech composer, musical theorist and teacher. He is primarily known for his microtonal compositions, especially using the quarter tone scale, though he used others such as sixth-tones and twelfth-tones....
, Iša Krejčí
Iša Krejcí
Iša Krejčí , was a Czech Neoclassicist composer, conductor and dramaturg.He was born in Prague. He studied history and musicology at Charles University and concurrently piano playing with Albín Šíma and composition at the Prague Conservatory with Karel Boleslav Jirák and Vítězslav Novák and...
, Jindřich Feld
Jindrich Feld
Jindřich Feld was a Czech composer of classical music.-Biography:Feld was born into a musical family, his father a well-known professor of violin at the Prague Conservatory which followed the tradition of Otakar Ševčík, the master of Jan Kubelík. His mother was a violinist...
, Jiří Jaroch, Jiří Matys, Josef Matěj, Jan Kapr
Jan Kapr
Jan Kapr was one of the most prolific Czech composers of the second half of the 20th century.- Life :He studied at the Prague Conservatory, as a pupil of Jaroslav Řídký, and at the master school under Jaroslav Křička. In 1939–1946 he worked as a director in the Czechoslovak Radio...
and Jan Tausinger
Jan Tausinger
Jan Tausinger was a Romania-born ethnic Czech violist, conductor and composer.-Biography:...
among others. Numerous compositions were initiated by Černý and many were dedicated to him. Černý's viola playing excelled in virtuoso technique, with remarkable temperament, beauty and expressiveness of tone.
In 1955 Černý was named an Artist of Merit
Meritorious Artist
Meritorious Artist , also translated as Merited Artist, Deserved Artist or Distinguished Artist or Honorary Artist or Honorable Actor) is an honorary title in the Soviet Union, Russian Federation, Union republics, and Autonomous republics, also in some other Eastern bloc states, as well as in a...
(Zasloužilý umělec) and in 1971 People's Artist
People's Artist
People's Artist is a honorary title in the Soviet Union, Union republics, in some other Eastern bloc states , as well as in a number of post-Soviet states, modeled after the title of the People's Artist of the USSR....
(Národní umělec).
Černý owned and played a very large German viola which was once thought to be made by Giovanni Battista Grancino
Gianbattista Grancino
Gianbattista Grancino or Giovanni Battista Grancino was a member of the family of luthiers Grancino...
.
Discography
Viola- Hector BerliozHector BerliozHector Berlioz was a French Romantic composer, best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts . Berlioz made significant contributions to the modern orchestra with his Treatise on Instrumentation. He specified huge orchestral forces for some of his works; as a...
: Harold en Italie, Op. 16 – Ladislav Černý (viola); Václav Jiráček (conductor); Czech Philharmonic; Supraphon (1953, 1954) - Bloch and Britten – Ladislav Černý (viola); Josef PáleníčekJosef PálenícekJosef Páleníček was a Czech piano virtuoso and composer.- Biography :...
(piano); Supraphon 1110847G (1959, with Britten: 1970, 1971)
-
- Ernest BlochErnest BlochErnest Bloch was a Swiss-born American composer.-Life:Bloch was born in Geneva and began playing the violin at age 9. He began composing soon afterwards. He studied music at the conservatory in Brussels, where his teachers included the celebrated Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe...
: Suite for viola and piano (1919) - Benjamin BrittenBenjamin BrittenEdward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
: Lachrymae, Reflections on a Song by John Dowland for viola and piano, Op. 48 (1950)- František BrožFrantišek BrožFrantišek Brož was a Czech violist, composer, conductor and music educator.-Biography:Brož studied violin at the Prague Conservatory with Jindřich Baštař. He later studied composition with Josef Bohuslav Foerster and Vítězslav Novák, and conducting under Otakar Ostrčil and Václav Talich...
: Jarní sonáta (Spring Sonata; Frühlingssonate) for viola and piano, Op. 18 (1946) – Ladislav Černý (viola); Jan PanenkaJan PanenkaJan Panenka was a Czech pianist. He recorded many of Beethoven's works, and he played for many years with the Suk Trio.- Life :...
(piano); Supraphon LPM 458 (1957) - Osvald ChlubnaOsvald ChlubnaOsvald 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...
: Sonatina for viola and piano, Op. 119 – Ladislav Černý (viola); Jarmila Kozderková (piano); Panton 11 0312 (1972) - Paul HindemithPaul HindemithPaul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
: Viola Works – Ladislav Černý (viola); Jan PanenkaJan PanenkaJan Panenka was a Czech pianist. He recorded many of Beethoven's works, and he played for many years with the Suk Trio.- Life :...
(piano); Martin TurnovskýMartin TurnovskýMartin Turnovský is a Czech conductor.-Biography:Turnovský was born in Prague. His father was familiar with the conductor George Szell, who helped in the beginnings of Turnovský's career. During World War II, at the age of 16, Turnovský was imprisoned in German concentration camp, due to his...
(conductor); Prague Chamber Orchestra; recorded 1957–1961; Supraphon SU 3021-2 911 (1991)
- František Brož
- Sonata in F for viola and piano, Op.11 No.4 (1919)
- Sonata for solo viola, Op.25 No.1 (1922)
- Trauermusik for viola and orchestra (1936)
- Arthur HoneggerArthur HoneggerArthur Honegger was a Swiss composer, who was born in France and lived a large part of his life in Paris. He was a member of Les six. His most frequently performed work is probably the orchestral work Pacific 231, which is interpreted as imitating the sound of a steam locomotive.-Biography:Born...
: Sonata for viola and piano, H.28 (1920) – Ladislav Černý (viola); Josef PáleníčekJosef PálenícekJosef Páleníček was a Czech piano virtuoso and composer.- Biography :...
(piano); Supraphon SUF 20036 (1953) - Hummel, Reger and Tausinger – Ladislav Černý (viola); Jarmila Kozderková (piano); Brigita Šulcová (soprano); Panton 11 0430 (1974)
- Arthur Honegger
- Johann Nepomuk HummelJohann Nepomuk HummelJohann Nepomuk Hummel or Jan Nepomuk Hummel was an Austrian composer and virtuoso pianist. His music reflects the transition from the Classical to the Romantic musical era.- Life :...
: Sonata in E major for viola and piano, Op. 5 No. 3 - Max RegerMax RegerJohann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher.-Life:...
: Suite No. 1 in G minor for viola solo, Op. 131d (1915) - Jan TausingerJan TausingerJan Tausinger was a Romania-born ethnic Czech violist, conductor and composer.-Biography:...
: Duetti Compatibili for soprano and viola (1971)- Jan TausingerJan TausingerJan Tausinger was a Romania-born ethnic Czech violist, conductor and composer.-Biography:...
: Concertino meditazione for viola and chamber orchestra (1965) – Ladislav Černý (viola); František Vajnar (conductor); Czech Philharmonic; Supraphon - Ladislav Černý (viola); Josef PáleníčekJosef PálenícekJosef Páleníček was a Czech piano virtuoso and composer.- Biography :...
(piano); Supraphon (1960)
- Jan Tausinger
- Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
: Air from Suite No. 3 in D major - Henry Eccles: Allegro vivace from Sonata in G minor
- George Frideric HandelGeorge Frideric HandelGeorge Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel was born in 1685, in a family indifferent to music...
: Andante ma non troppo - Robert SchumannRobert SchumannRobert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
: Snění (Träumerei)
- Ernest Bloch
Chamber music
- Johannes BrahmsJohannes BrahmsJohannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
: String Quartet No. 3 – Prague Quartet; Supraphon (1950) - Leoš JanáčekLeoš JanácekLeoš 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...
: String Quartet No. 2 – Černý Quartet; Ultraphon (1943); Supraphon (1948) - Robert SchumannRobert SchumannRobert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
: String Quartet in A major, Op.41 No.3 – Prague Quartet - Erwin SchulhoffErwin SchulhoffErwin Schulhoff was a Czech composer and pianist.-Life:Born in Prague of Jewish-German origin, Schulhoff was one of the brightest figures in a generation of European musicians whose successful careers were prematurely terminated by the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany...
: 5 PiecesFive Pieces for String Quartet (Fünf Stücke für Streichquartett)The "Fünf Stücke für Streichquartett" or "Five Pieces for String Quartet" is a suite of five musical pieces by Czech composer Erwin Schulhoff. The work contains stylistic connections to both a baroque dance suite and to other pieces composed by the Second Viennese School...
(Pět kusů) for string quartet (1923) – Prague Quartet; Supraphon (1962)
External links
- Ladislav Černý biography
- Ladislav Černý at the Czech Music Dictionary of People and Institutions