Fried, Alexej

Fried, Alexej, Czech composer; b. Brno, Oct. 13, 1922. He studied piano and composition at the Brno Cons., and then composition with Hlobil and Bofkovec at the Prague Academy of Music (graduated, 1953). He also led his own orchs., lectured, and composed. Many of his works are in the “3rd-stream” manner, fusing jazz with Classical styles.

Works

ORCH Triple Concerto for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, and Orch. (1971); Concerto (1974); Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet and Orch. (1976); Concerto for Horn and Chamber Orch. (1977); Concerto di Freiberg for Chamber Orch. (1977; rewritten 1982 as Gothic Concerto)’, Triple Concertino for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, 2 Percussion, and Strings (1981); Bread and Games, musical picture for Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Horn, and Orch. (1982); Cassation for Chamber Orch. (1985). CHAMBER: Sonatina drammatica for Violin and Piano (1975); Moravian Trio for Flute, Marimba, and Harp (1978); Guernica, quintet for Soprano Saxophone and String Quartet (1978); Quintet for Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Piano (1979); Tympanum, trio for Violin, Soprano Saxophone, and Piano (1982); Sextet for Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Piano, Double Bass, and Percussion (1984); Sonata for Saxophone Quartet (1987); 3 Characteristic Etudes for Horn (1990); Concertino for Flute, Guitar, String Quartet, and 2 Percussion (1992); Paraphrases and Variations on Themes from West Side Story for Violin, Cello, Clarinet, and Piano (1996). Jazz works For Big Band : The Act for Trumpet, Flute, and Big Band (1968); Jazz Concerto for Clarinet and Big Band (1970); Souvenir (1970); Jazz Ballet Etudes for Clarinet and Big Band (1970); Sidonia for Trumpet and Big Band (1971); Moravian Wedding, sinfonietta (1972); The Solstice, concerto for 2 Big Bands (1973); Concertino for Clarinet and Big Band (1974); Dialogue for 2 Alto Saxophones and Big Band (1974); Paraphrases to Motives of Blue Skies for Soprano Saxophone and Big Band (1975); Concerto (1976); Jazz Composition for Trombone and Big Band (1977); Polyphone (1978); Song for Trumpet and Big Band (1979); Plays for Percussion, Tenor Saxophone, and Big Band (1980); Silhouettes for Baritone Saxophone and Big Band (1983); A Picture Postcard from Moravia for Baritone Saxophone and Big Band (1985); The Nude for Trumpet, Flute, and Big Band (1986); Salute for Soprano Saxophone, Flute, and Big Band (1987).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire