Koffnek, Miloslav

Koffnek, Miloslav, Slovak composer and teacher; b. Brno, Jan. 29, 1925; d. Bratislava, July 8, 1998. He went to Bratislava, where he studied with Alexander Moyzes (composition) and Kornel Schimpl (conducting) at the State Cons. (1943–49). After teaching composition at the Academy of Music and Drama (1949–51), he taught theory and composition at the State Cons. (1949–85), where he also served as asst. director (from 1962).

Works

dramatic:The Adventures of the Travelling Egg, children’s opera (1959); Atlantis, stage cantata for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1972). ORCH.: Viola Concertino (1951); Funeral Music (1953); 2 Pieces for Oboe and Orch. (1953); Accordion Concerto (1956); Festive Overture (1958); Divertimento concertante for Strings (1962); Flute Concerto (1964); Song of Praise, overture (1966); Chamber Concerto for Clarinet and Orch. (1966); Horn Concerto (1968); Allegro brillante (1976); Sym. (1983); Oboe Concerto (1987); Bratislava, the City of Our Life (1989); Bassoon Concerto (1991). CHAMBER: (10) Sonatinas of Joyful Youth for Various Instruments (1960); 4 Pieces for Cello and Piano (1960); Trio for 2 Oboes and English Horn (1961); Music for String Quartet (1963); Piano Quintet (1967); Sonatina for Double Bass and Piano (1970); Wind Quintet (1970); 2 Capriccios for Trombone and Piano (1973); Grand Fantasy for Flute and Guitar (1974); 5 Grotesque Pieces for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Horns, and 2 Bassoons (1977); 3 Pieces for Horn and Piano (1981); Metamorphoses d’Idea for Accordion (1983); Humor-esques for Flute, Cello, and Harpsichord (1985); Violin Sonata (1986); Suite-Variations for Harp (1987); Music for Cello (1987); Studies I-II for Guitar (1988); 3 Bagatelles for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1988); Variations for Piano Trio (1989). KEYBOARD: Piano: On Human Happiness (1955–61); Ferencko’s Summer (1956); Apocrypha (1969). Organ: Cantus ad laudationem (1985). Harpsichord: Sonata Toccata (1989). VOCAL: Choruses; song cycles.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire