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Mikulás Schneider-Trnavský was a Slovak composer, conductor, and music educator who made significant contributions to the development of classical music in Slovakia during the 20th century. He was born on May 18, 1881, in the town of Trnava, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His father was a music teacher, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music from an early age. Schneider-Trnavský began his formal music education at the age of six, studying piano and music theory with his father. He later attended the Prague Conservatory, where he studied composition with Antonín Dvořák and Josef Bohuslav Foerster. After completing his studies, he returned to Trnava, where he worked as a music teacher and conductor. In 1919, Schneider-Trnavský was appointed the director of the newly established Bratislava Conservatory, which was the first music school in Slovakia. He held this position until 1949 and played a crucial role in shaping the curriculum and establishing the school's reputation as a center of musical excellence. He also founded the Bratislava Music Festival in 1921, which became one of the most important cultural events in Slovakia. Schneider-Trnavský's compositions are characterized by their lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and use of Slovak folk music elements. He wrote in a variety of genres, including orchestral works, chamber music, choral music, and operas. Some of his most notable works include the opera "The Tinker's Wedding," the ballet "The Wooden Prince," and the oratorio "The Song of the Mountains." One of Schneider-Trnavský's most famous works is his Symphony No. 2, which is also known as the "National Symphony." The piece was composed in 1927 and is considered one of the most important works of Slovak classical music. The symphony is based on Slovak folk songs and dances and features a prominent role for the cimbalom, a traditional Slovak instrument. The piece has been performed by orchestras around the world and is considered a masterpiece of Slovak music. Schneider-Trnavský's other notable works include his String Quartet No. 1, which was composed in 1911 and is considered one of the first works of Slovak chamber music. The piece features elements of Slovak folk music and is characterized by its lyrical melodies and rich harmonies. His choral works, such as "The Song of the Mountains" and "The Legend of St. Elizabeth," are also highly regarded and have been performed by choirs around the world. In addition to his work as a composer, Schneider-Trnavský was also a respected conductor and music educator. He conducted the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bratislava Opera, and he was known for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians. He also taught composition and music theory at the Bratislava Conservatory and mentored many of Slovakia's most prominent composers, including Eugen Suchoň and Ján Cikker. Schneider-Trnavský's contributions to Slovak classical music were recognized during his lifetime, and he received numerous awards and honors for his work. He was awarded the Order of the Slovak National Uprising in 1945 and was named a National Artist of Czechoslovakia in 1955. He died on May 3, 1958, in Bratislava, leaving behind a legacy as one of Slovakia's most important composers and music educators.

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