Role

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Composer

Genre

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Orchestral

 

Tomas "Taromir" Vejvoda was a Czech composer and musician who is best known for his composition "Škoda lásky" (Beer Barrel Polka), which became a worldwide hit in the 1930s. Vejvoda was born on March 4, 1902, in Zbraslavice, a small town in the Czech Republic. He was the son of a local musician and grew up in a musical family. His father played the trumpet, and his mother was a singer. Vejvoda showed an early interest in music and began playing the trumpet at a young age. He received his formal musical education at the Prague Conservatory, where he studied composition and conducting. After completing his studies, Vejvoda worked as a conductor and arranger for various orchestras in Prague. In the 1920s, Vejvoda began composing his own music, and his first major success came in 1929 with the song "Modrý sen" (Blue Dream), which became a hit in Czechoslovakia. However, it was his composition "Škoda lásky" that would make him famous around the world. "Škoda lásky" was originally written in 1927 as a polka called "Modřanská polka" (Modřany Polka), named after a suburb of Prague. The song was later renamed "Škoda lásky" (Beer Barrel Polka) and became a hit in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. The song's popularity spread throughout Europe, and it was eventually recorded by various artists in different languages, including English, German, and Spanish. During World War II, Vejvoda continued to compose music, but his career was interrupted by the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. After the war, he returned to composing and worked as a conductor for the Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. Vejvoda's other notable compositions include "Když jsem šel z Hradce" (When I Went from Hradec), "Když se zamiluje muž" (When a Man Falls in Love), and "Pražská romance" (Prague Romance). He also composed music for films, including the 1955 Czechoslovak film "Dobrý voják Švejk" (The Good Soldier Schweik). Vejvoda died on November 13, 1985, in Slaný, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), at the age of 83. His legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed around the world. In conclusion, Taromir Vejvoda was a talented Czech composer and musician who achieved worldwide fame with his composition "Škoda lásky" (Beer Barrel Polka). He was born into a musical family and received his formal musical education at the Prague Conservatory. Vejvoda's other notable compositions include "Když jsem šel z Hradce" (When I Went from Hradec), "Když se zamiluje muž" (When a Man Falls in Love), and "Pražská romance" (Prague Romance). He also composed music for films, including the 1955 Czechoslovak film "Dobrý voják Švejk" (The Good Soldier Schweik). Vejvoda's music continues to be performed and enjoyed around the world, and he remains an important figure in the history of Czech music.

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