Fibich, Zdenek (Antonin Václav)
Fibich, Zdeněk (Antonin Václav)
Fibich, Zdeněk (Antonin Václav), important
Czech composer; b. Vsebofice, Dec. 21, 1850; d. Prague, Oct. 15, 1900. He studied piano with Moscheles and theory with E.R Richter at the Leipzig Cons. (1865–66), then composition privately with Jadassohn (1866–67) and in Mannheim with V. Lachner (1869–70). Upon his return to Prague (1871), he was deputy conductor and chorus master at the Provisional Theater (1875–78) and director of the Russian Orthodox Church Choir (1878–81). He was a fine craftsman and facile melodist, and one of the leading representatives of the Czech Romantic movement in music. His extensive output reveals the pronounced influence of Weber, Schumann, and especially Wagner. His operas Nevěsta mesinská (The Bride of Messina) and Pád Arkuna (The Fall of Arkun) are recognized as significant achievements, although they have not gained a place in the standard repertoire. He remains best known for his effective music for piano. A critical ed. of his works was publ. in Prague (1950–67).
Works
(all 1st perf. in Prague unless otherwise given): DRAMATIC: Opera : Bukovin (1870–71; April 16, 1874); Blanik (1874–77; Nov. 25, 1881); Nevesta mesinskd (The Bride of Messina, after Schiller; 1882–83; March 28, 1884); Boufe (The Tempest, after Shakespeare; 1893–94; March 1, 1895); Hedy, after Byron’s Don Juan (1894–95; Feb. 12, 1896); Sdrka (1896–97; Dec. 28, 1897); Pad Arkuna (The Fall of Arkun; 1898–99; Nov. 9, 1900). S t a g e M e l o d r a m a T r i l o g y : Hippodamie (Hippodamia), after Sophocles and Euripides: Ndmluvy Pelopovy (The Courtship of Pelops; 1888–89; Feb. 21, 1890), Smir Tantaluv (The Atonement of Tantalus; 1890; June 2, 1891), and Smrt Hippo-damie (Hippodamia’s Death; Nov. 8, 1891). C o n c e r t M e l o d r a m a s F o r R e c i t e r a n d Piano : StSdry den (Christmas Day; 1875; orchestrated 1899); Pomsta kvetin (The Revenge of the Flowers; 1877); Vgcnost (Eternity; 1878); Krdlovna Ema (Queen Emma; 1883). For R e c i t e r an d O r c h . : Vodnik (The Water Goblin; 1883); Hakon (1888). ORCH.: 7 syms. including No. 1 (1877–83), No. 2 (1892–93; Prague, April 9, 1893), and No. 3 (1898; Prague, March 7, 1899); 7 symphonic poems (1873–1900; 6 extant); 4 overtures (1873–98). VOCAL: S a c r e d C h o r a l : Meluzina for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1872–74); Svatebni scena (Wedding Scene) for 7 Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1872–74); Jarni romance (A Springtime Tale) for Soprano, Bass, Chorus, and Orch. (1880–81); Missa brevis for Chorus and Organ (1885). O t h e r : Secular choral music; part-songs; songs. CHAMBER: Piano Trio (1872); Piano Quartet (1874); 2 string quartets (1874,1878); 2 violin sonatas (1874, 1875); Piano Quintet (1893); etc. KEYBOARD: Piano : Many works, including 376 pieces publ. as Ndlady, dojmy a upominky (Moods, Impressions, and Reminiscences; 1892–99).
Bibliography
J. Bartos, Z. F. (Prague, 1914); J. Plavec, Z. E, mistr ceske balady (Z. E, Master of the Czech Ballad; Prague, 1940); K. Jirak, Z. F. (Prague, 1947).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire