Mácha, Otmar

Mácha, Otmar, Czech composer; b. Ostrava, Oct. 2, 1922. He studied with Hradil (1941–42), and then at the Prague Cons. (1943–45), where he subsequently attended Ëidky’s master class (1945–48). He was active with the Czech Radio (1945–62), and then devoted himself to composing. He was awarded the State Prize in 1967 and was made a Merited Artist by the Czech government in 1982.

Works

dramatic: Polapená nevëra (Entrapped Faithlessness), opera (1956–57; Prague, Nov. 21, 1958); Jezero Ukereve (Lake Ukereve), opera (1960–63; Prague, May 27,1966); Rule pro Johanku (Panichyda za stateõné) (Rose for Jeanne [Homage to the Brave]), dramatic musical fantasy (1971–74); Svatba na oko (Feigned Wedding), comic opera (1974–77); Kolébka pro hfíSné panny (Cradle for Sinful Maidens), musical comedy (1975–76); Nenávistná láska (The Hateful Love), opera (1999); film scores. ORCH.: Sym. (1947–48); Slovak Rhapsody (1951); Symphonic Intermezzo (1958); Noe a nadëje (Night and Hope), symphonic poem (1959); Variace na téma a smrt Jana Rychlíka (Variations on a Theme by Jan Rychlik; 1964; Prague, March 15, 1966); Variants, short studies (1968); 2 sinfoniettas (1970–71; 1978–80); Double Concerto for Violin, Piano, and Orch. (1976); Hommage a Josef Suk for Violin and Strings (1998). CHAMBER: 2 string quartets (1943; 1981–82); 2 violin sonatas (1948, 1987); Cello Sonata (1949); Bassoon Sonata (1963); Saxophone Cries for Saxophone and Piano (1963–68); Adagio for Bass Clarinet and Piano (1969); Variations for Flute and Piano (1977); Preludium, Aria, and Toccata for Accordion (1978); Elegy for Violin and Piano (1982); organ music; piano pieces. VOCAL: Odkaz J.A. Komen-ského (J.A. Comenius’s Legacy), oratorio (1952–55); 4 Monologues for Soprano, Baritone, and Orch. (1965–66); Janinka zpívá (Janinka Sings), suite for Soprano and Orch. (1969); Small Triptych, 3 songs for Soprano, Flute, and Tam-tam (1971); Oöi a ruce (Eyes and Hands), dramatic song for Mezzo-soprano, Clarinet, Viola, and Piano (1975); Concerto grosso for Vocal Soloists and Orch. (1980); choruses; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire