Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

September 4, 1906

Death

:

November 20, 1984

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Alexander Moyzes was a Slovak composer who was born on September 4, 1906, in the town of Bystrica. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Jozef Moyzes, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Maria Moyzesova, was a pianist. Alexander Moyzes showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Moyzes studied music at the Bratislava Conservatory, where he was a student of Ján Cikker. He later studied composition with Joseph Marx in Vienna and with Paul Hindemith in Berlin. Moyzes was also a talented violinist and played in the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra. Moyzes began his career as a composer in the 1930s, and his early works were influenced by the music of Bartók and Stravinsky. He was also interested in Slovak folk music and incorporated elements of it into his compositions. Moyzes's music was characterized by its rhythmic vitality, colorful orchestration, and melodic inventiveness. Moyzes's most famous work is his Symphony No. 3, which he composed in 1949. The symphony is a powerful and emotional work that reflects the struggles of the Slovak people during World War II. The symphony is divided into four movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the war. The first movement is a somber and mournful elegy, while the second movement is a lively and energetic scherzo. The third movement is a slow and contemplative adagio, and the final movement is a triumphant and celebratory finale. Moyzes composed a total of 12 symphonies, as well as numerous other works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. His music was widely performed in Slovakia and other parts of Europe, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his generation. In addition to his work as a composer, Moyzes was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Bratislava Conservatory and was a professor of composition at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Bratislava. Many of his students went on to become successful composers and performers. Moyzes died on November 20, 1984, in Bratislava, at the age of 78. He left behind a rich legacy of music that continues to be performed and admired today. His contributions to Slovak music and culture are significant, and his music remains an important part of the country's musical heritage.

More....