Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/169

143 riety of excellent compositions. Numbered amongst the followers of Smetana, are to be found Vilém Blodek (1834— [sic]1874)—composer of the opera „V studni“, Jan Malát and V. J. Novotný whose songs are much admired. Of the younger generation we have Dvořák’s and Fibich’s very promising pupils: ''Jos. B. Foerster'' (C. 1859), (with the works entitled „Jessica“, „Deborah“ and „Eva“). Karel Weiss (C. 1862), Karel Kovařovic (C. 1862) now director of the opera at the Bohemian National Theatre, Otakar Ostrčil (1879), and Karl Moor (1873). All of there named have produced works of excellent qualities. Amongst those who may be styled „seceders“ from the school favoured by their contemporaries and who go on independantindependent [sic] lines; are, ''Lud. Lošťák (1862), Lad. Čelanský (1870), in Bohemia, while Leo Janáček'' represents secession in Moravia.

We have a splendid conductor in Oscar Nedbal, who has composed the music of a number of successful ballets and pantomimes. K. Kovařovic and Henry Kàan have also produced good work of this light kind of composition.

Orchestral music and works for the piano and stringed instruments, by Vítězslav Novák (1870) enjoy a well deserved reputation for melodiousness and good scoring. With him must be associated Josef Suk because the two afford an excellent example of contrast in style. The former is a strong upholder of national music of the Slovaks in Moravia and Northern Hungary, and an extreme modernist in his symphonic songs and poems. Josef Suk, on the contrary has a disposition for classic originals as in his symphony in E. Suk’s compositions are remarkable for their brilliant harmonieharmonic [sic] colouring as well as the flow of melody, reminding us strongly of the style of Dvořák.

Religious musical works are well represented by Dvořák (Requiem), F. Skuherský (1830—92), Andreas Horník (1864) and Fr. Picka (1873).

The theory and history of the art is a growing literature which has been contributed to by professor Otakar Hostinský (1847), Karel Stecker (1861), ''Eman. Chvála (1851) and Karel Knittl the present director of the Prague Conservatory of Music'', the first academy of music established in Austria and which will soon complete its first century of