THE PERSONAL WEB PAGE OF THE
COMPOSER JAN BŮŽEK, Ph.D.
Jan Bůžek, Ph.D.
Jan Bůžek, Czech composer and music professor, was born 16.2.
1927 in Kutna Hora, die day 3.12.2005 in Teplice v Č. After
graduating from secondary school he
studied at the School of Pedagogic and the School of Science at Charles
University in Prague. At first he studied composition privately with
Prof. Jaroslav Řídký, then with Doc. Karel
Hába
and in 1967 he graduated in Composition Studies at AMU in the class of
“National Artist” Emil Hlobil. He got his Ph.D. at
Charles
University in 1972. He conducted the Philharmonic orchestra
and the
Teacher’s Choir in Kutná Hora during his studies.
At first
he taught at the Pedagogical School in Teplice, then he was
a senior
lecturer at the Music Department at the University of
Ústí on the Elba and at the same time he gave
lectures on
the history and theory of music at the Conservatory in Teplice, where
he also worked as a deputy to the school director. Many of his
compositions were recorded by Czech Broadcasting and awarded in
regional and national competitions. His compositions for choirs were
performed not only in our country but also in Germany, Holland, England
and Ireland. He was designated as a honorary member of The Leos Janacek
Society in Zurich and of the mixed choir JANACEK in Jablonec on the
Nisa.In 1965 he was awarded the Prize of the city of Teplice for his
composition. His orchestral compositions were first time performed and
recorded for Czech Broadcasting by the Northern Bohemian Philharmonic
Orchestra.
He carries on the tradition of the Czech and the world’s
classics
in his work; he seeks to create a comprehensible music language with a
view to neo-romanticism, which is proved by hundreds of his chorals and
songs and symphonic and chamber music.
His instrumental work reaches from chamber compositions for solo
instruments to extensive symphonic compositions, among which the
symphony Songs ofTerezin (1972) is
dominant. His vocal music is
represented by the chorals Panichyda
(1970), Bernard
Žár (1970),
Stabat mater
(1972), Slavic baladMadrigals (1978),
Salutationes
(1991) – dedicated to the memory of Jan Palach, Te
deum laudamus (1998), Veni,
sanctae Spiritus (1999) and Songs of
ancient China (1969) and Songs of Home
(1978).
The vocally instrumental compositions
In memoriam Duchcov 1931 (1972),
Requiem (1978) and The
Legend of St. Adalbert (1996) represent the peak
of his work. (1977),
“We can now say for certain that Jan Bůžek, together with
Jaroslav Řídký, creates the essential pillar of
Czech
20th Century music from the area of Northern Bohemia. In particular The
Legend of St. Adalbert significantly exceeds the general standards of
contemporary Czech music production and proves the fact that its author
justly belongs to the top representatives of contemporary classical
music.
In his rich compositions work Jan Bůžek purposely avoids fashionable
contemporary elements, which are now so typical for some of the often
presented minimalist authors; by a careful choice of thematic material,
variously presented with an individual mature style of composition, Jan
Bůžek creates avantgarde pieces which at the same time have sources in
the essential traditions of Czech music. He enriched the traditions
particularly in the melodic and harmonic area by adding typical and
representative elements, which create the individual flow of music
advanced by deep spiritual potential.
The work of Jan Bůžek has become truly modern, it inspires his
contemporaries and it will produce rich fruits even for future
generations.”
Mgr. Josef Zadina
The list of
compositions by Jan Bůžek, Ph.D.
The list contains only an enumeration of his most important compositions
Children’s chorals
Spider
– the 2nd place in competition in Jirkov in 1971
What Is It? – with words by poet Vlasta
Kovaříková, 1966
Alice’s Songs – a cycle for piano in
two voices, with words by Vlasta Kovaříková, 1967
Monks and Mice – J. Havel, 1971
For Five Blows – with words by
Vladimír Šefl, 1982
Kittens – 1983, a cycle of six songs, with
words by H.Průchová
The Animal Place – ten songs for piano, 1986,
with words by Heda Průchová
15 Little Chorals with Words by J.V. Sládek –
flute in three voices, 1999
Birds’ Nursery Rhymes – 11 nursery
rhymes for 1 voice, October 2003
More children’s chorals and cycles
91 in all
Women’s choirs
Love Songs for Two Parts – 1960, with words of
folk poetry, for piano
Slavic Ballad – for four parts and capella,
words by M. Pujmannová, 1997
Madrigals – a cycle of madrigals and capella,
lyrics from Chinese poetry by B. Mathesius
Three Chorals with Oriental Lyrics – B.
Mathesius, 1998
Pictures from Ancient China – 156 compositions
and capella, words by B. Mathesius, 2001
40 women’s chorals in all
Men’s chorals
Who Will Take My Place – words by Petr Bezruč, a
Czech poet, 1969
Bernard Žár - words by Petr Bezruč, 1969
September – Karel Toman, Months, a poetry
collection, 1968
Mirigoj – J. Wolker, 1988
18 in all
Mixed chorals
To My Native City – a cycle of choirs with the
words by J. Orten, for Choir in Kutná Hora
Ester – words by Ivan Mojik, 1964
Ballad about the Eyes of a Boiler man – J.
Wolker, 1969
A painter Went Poorly into the World – J.
Seifert, a cycle, 1970
Panychida – V. Nezval, published by Panton, 3rd
prize of Panton 1972, elegy for dead soldiers of World War 2
Cantus Pacis – Song of Peace, vocal fugue with
Latin lyrics and capella
Stabat Mater – for alto solo, women’s
choir, mixed choir and piano, with Latin lyrics, 1972
My country – words by a student of the
secondary grammar school in Teplice
3 folk ballads – for soprano, baritone, mixed
choir, 1980
Jano Stands by the Brook
Jano Grazed Cows
A Bird Flew Up
Pentameron about Life and Death – a cycle, with
words by a student of UJEP
A Song about the Dead – lyrics by an unknown
woman from Auswitz from 1944, 1984
Ghetto in Stone – for mixed choir, recitation
and piano, Fr. Branislav, 1986
Olympic bell – Mirko Paráček, 1995
Prayer - with the lyrics by Thomas More from 1535, 1998
Te Deum – Latin lyrics, 1998
Job – words by M. Dolistová, 1999
The Song of Living Creatures – for solo tenor
and mixed choir, lyrics by St. Francis of Assisi, 2001
Pentameron from Ancient China – 5 choirs for
flute, lyrics interpreted by B. Mathesius, 2002
Church hexameron I – 1997mixed choir a capella
1.
“Lord’s
prayer”, 2. “Alleluia”,
3.
“Te Deum
laudamus”, 4. “Pange lingua”,
5.
“Media vita inmorte sumus”,
6. "Veni sanctae
Spiritus”
Church hexameron II – 1997, for mixed choir
(solo) 1.
“Salve
Regina”, 2. “Agnus
Dei”, 3.
“Gloria”,
4. “Salve Regina”,
5.
“Suplicio”,
6. “To yourheart, Jesus”
A Good Shepherd – missal proprium, words by
Marie Dolistova, 2005
Christ – words by Marie Dolistova, 2000
David and Goliath – Uriah – Esther
– for alto solo, tenor bass and mixed choir, words by Marie
Dolistova, 1999
Stay with us, Lord – for alto solo, tenor bass
and mixed choir, words by Marie Dolistova, 1999
Songs about Blessed Virgin Mary – church choral
songs, 2005
Three mixed chorals with religious words á capella,
2005
Ten chorals with religious words á capella, 2005
195 in all
Songs for piano
Songs of Ancient China – a cycle, B. Mathesius,
1969
Heart in the house-place – words by Ladislav
Dymeš, a cycle of songs, 1967
Renaissance Pentameron – 5 songs, renaissance
lyrics, 1973
Songs of Home – songs in folk tradition with
words of folk poetry, 1978, 2 parts
Four songs with words by Fr. Branislav –
recorded by Czech Broadcasting, 1998
Sonnets- renaissance poetry, 3 parts, words by T.Tasso a
Petrarch, 1979
Three sonnets to Laura– with words by Petrarch,
1980
The Grieving Place – 7 songs for soprano and
piano, words of Moravian folk poetry, 1981
Nursery Rhymes –
5 nursery rhymes with words of Moravian folk poetry,1981
Teasing Songs – 9 songs for soprano and piano,
Moravian folk poetry, 1981
Songs from the Far East – for soprano, flute,
triangle and piano,1982
A song from Kolchida – 5 songs with his own
lyrics, for soprano, tenor and piano, 1982
Stone dream – a cycle, with words by poets from
Kutna Hora, for bass and piano, 1982
Fables – 7 fables, for soprano and piano,
H.Průchová, 1986
2 Ballads –for soprano, tenor, mixed choir and
piano, 1988
12 Pantums about love - for baritone and piano, Jar.
Siefert, 1991
Songs from Valachia – 5, in folk tradition with
words of folk poetry, for soprano, flute and piano, 1994
Ancient Chinese Decameron – B. Mathesius, 1998
Renessaince Trefoil – renessaince poetry, 2001
Memories – in memory of K. Čapek, words by Olga
Scheinpflugová, 2003
The Owergrown Paths – a cycle of 5 songs, Marie
Dolistová, 2003
Ruth – Susan – for solo and piano,
words by Marie Dolistova, 1998 – 1999
Christmas carol – words by Marie Dolistova, 2004
231 in all
Chamber compositons
Sonata number 1 for violin and piano – 1964
Variations for piano, 1964
Little variations for piano – on the theme of
Hey Love, Love
Sonata for trumpet and piano – 1985
Music for six – for piano, violin, 2 flutes,
clarinet and guitar, 1988
Trifolium – 2 clarinets and bassoon,
dodecaphony, 1990
Bagatella for flute and piano – six bagatels,
1991
Sonatilla number 1 for piano in C major – 1996
Sonata for violin and piano number 2 – two
lines,2001
Sonatilla for 3 violins - 2002
Alterations and
harmonizations
Folk songs from Ústí and Roudnice
– 30 songs, 1963
L’ Espero – anthem in Esperanto,
harmonization for men’s choir
Guard’s Songs – for women’s
choir
Kakva moma – Bulgarian song, 1970
32 in all
Melodramas
At the X-ray apparatus – J. Wolker, for piano
and recitation, 1960
The Ballad of widows of Osek – B. Brecht, 1961,
1st prize at the anniversary of strike in Most
The Treasure of Opatovice – Jan Vlček,
recitation and piano,2002
6 in all
Instructive compositions
Divertiento – 3 lines composition for violin,
1968, published by Panton
Suite for 3 violins – 1972, for the Conservatory
in Teplice
Little suite for 2 violins and piano – published
by Supraphon 1977
Invention – for trombone and piano
Partita for fipple flute and piano – 1981
Suite for Martin – for piano, 1994
10 national songs for 3 violins - 2002
16 in all
Incidental music
Anna Karanina – for 11 acts for The Little
Theatre in Ústí on Elba, 1961
Orchestral compositions
Syphonietta – 1963, 3 lines
Symphony number 1 – 1967, 3 lines
Music for strings – dodecaphony, 1969
Song of Terezin – 1972, 4 parts
Castle suite – 6 lines, recorded by Czech
Broadcasting, 1973
Concertino for violins – 1975, 2 lines
Partita in C – 1977, for strings orchestra, 4
lines
Symphony number 2 – for violin, piano and
kettledrums, 1982
Concertino Symphonietta – for 2 violins, strings
orchestra and kettledrums, 1986
Suite for symphonic orchestra – 1996, 3 lines
Chamber symphonietta in c-minor – for strings,
4 lines, 2000
15 in all
Vocal-instrumental compositions
The Ballad of Johnny – solo cantata, choir and
orchestra, 1958
In Memoriam Duchcov 1931 – cantata for choir and
string orchestra
Requiem – for solos, choir and orchestra, with
Latin words, 1971, revised in 1978
Heine’s nights (Lidice) - 1970, chamber cantata
melodrama, words
by K. Šiktanc, for string orchestra, piano, recitation and
women’s chamber choir
The Legend of St. Adalbert – cantata for bass
baritone, soprano,
recitation, mixed choir and orchestra, 1996, word by Marie Dolistova
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