Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Czech Republic

Birth

:

February 27, 1923

Death

:

September 28, 2006

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Viktor Kalabis was a Czech composer and pianist who was born on February 27, 1923, in Červený Kostelec, Czechoslovakia. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a choir conductor and his mother was a pianist. Kalabis began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Kalabis studied at the Prague Conservatory from 1941 to 1945, where he studied composition with Alois Hába and piano with František Maxián. After completing his studies, he worked as a pianist and composer in Prague. In 1948, he married the composer and pianist Vítězslava Kaprálová, who was a rising star in the Czech music scene. However, Kaprálová died of tuberculosis in 1949, which was a devastating blow to Kalabis. Despite this tragedy, Kalabis continued to compose and perform. He became a member of the Czechoslovak Composers' Union in 1951 and was appointed as the artistic director of the Prague Spring Festival in 1961. He also served as the president of the Union of Czechoslovak Composers from 1971 to 1989. Kalabis's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate rhythms. He was influenced by the music of his contemporaries, such as Bartók, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich, as well as by Czech folk music. His compositions include orchestral works, chamber music, vocal music, and solo piano pieces. One of Kalabis's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1952. The symphony is in four movements and is characterized by its dramatic contrasts and powerful rhythms. It was well-received by audiences and critics alike and helped establish Kalabis as one of the leading composers of his generation. Another notable work by Kalabis is his String Quartet No. 1, which he composed in 1955. The quartet is in three movements and is characterized by its intricate counterpoint and expressive melodies. It has been performed by many of the world's leading string quartets and is considered to be one of Kalabis's finest works. Kalabis also composed several works for solo piano, including his Piano Sonata No. 1, which he composed in 1950. The sonata is in three movements and is characterized by its virtuosic piano writing and complex harmonies. It has been performed by many of the world's leading pianists and is considered to be one of Kalabis's most challenging works for the piano. In addition to his work as a composer, Kalabis was also a respected pianist. He performed his own works as well as the works of other composers, and was known for his sensitive and expressive playing. He also taught piano at the Prague Conservatory from 1952 to 1961. Kalabis continued to compose and perform throughout his life, despite suffering from Parkinson's disease in his later years. He died on September 28, 2006, in Prague, Czech Republic, at the age of 83. His legacy as a composer and pianist continues to be celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.

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