Fišer, Luboš
Fišer, Luboš
Fišer, Luboš, Czech composer; b. Prague, Sept. 30, 1935; d. there, June 28, 1999. He studied composition with Hlobil at the Prague Cons. (1952–56) and with Bofkovec at the Prague Academy of Music, graduating in 1960. His music is often associated with paintings, archeology, and human history; his style of composition employs effective technical devices without adhering to any particular doctrine. His 15 Prints after Durer’s Apocalypse for Orch. (1964–65), his most successful work, received the UNESCO prize in Paris in 1967.
Works
DRAMATIC Lancelot, chamber opera (1959–60; Prague, May 19, 1961); Dobrý voják Švejk (The Good Soldier Schweik), musical (Prague, 1962); Changing Game, ballet (1971); Faust Eternal, television opera (1986). ORCH.: Suite (1954); 2 syms. (1956; 1958–60); Symphonic Fresco (1962–63); Chamber Concerto for Piano and Orch. (1964; rev. 1970); 15 Prints after Durer’s Apocalypse (1964–65; Prague, May 15, 1966); Pietà for Chamber Ensemble (1967); Riff (1968); Double (1969); Report for Wind Instruments (1971); Kreutzer Etude for Chamber Orch. (1974); Labyrinth (1977); Serenade for Salzburg for Chamber Orch. (1978); Albert Einstein, portrait for Organ and Orch. (1979); Piano Concerto (1980); Meridian (1980); Romance for Violin and Orch. (1980); Centaures (1983); Concerto for 2 Pianos and Orch. (1986); Sonata (1998; Prague, Feb. 18, 1999). C H A M B E R : 4 Compositions for Violin and Piano (1955); String Quartet (1955); Sextet for Wind Quintet and Piano (1956); Ruce (Hands), violin sonata (1961); Crux for Violin, Kettledrums, and Bells (1970); Cello Sonata (1975); Variations on an Unknown Theme for String Quartet (1976); Piano Trio (1978); Sonata for 2 Cellos and Piano (1979); Testis for String Quartet (1980); Sonata for Solo Violin (1981). K E Y B O A R D : Piano : 8 sonatas (1955–96). V O C A L: Caprichos for Vocalists and Chorus (1966); Requiem for Soprano, Baritone, 2 Choruses, and Orch. (Prague, Nov. 19, 1968); Lament over the Destruction of the City of Ur for Soprano, Baritone, 3 Narrators, Chorus, Children’s and Adult’s Speaking Choruses, 7 Timpani, and 7 Bells (1969; as a ballet, 1978); Ave Imperator for Cello, Men’s Chorus, 4 Trombones, and Percussion (1977); The Rose for Chorus (1977); Per Vittoria Colona for Cello and Women’s Chorus (1979); Istanu, melodrama for Narrator, Alto Flute, and 4 Percussionists (1980); Znameni (The Sign) for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1981); Address to Music, melodrama for Narrator and String Quartet (1982).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire