Matej, Josef

Matej, Josef, Czech composer; b. Brusperk, Feb. 19, 1922; d. there, March 28, 1992. He learned to play the trombone from his father. He studied composition with Hlobil at the Prague Cons. (1942–47) and fodky and Janecek at the Prague Academy of Musical Arts (1947–51). His early works are characterized by folksong inflections of the Lachian region of his birth. After 1960 he introduced into his works some coloristic oriental elements; also made discreet use of dodecaphonic techniques.

Works

dramatic: opera:Ùyficet dni hory Musa Dagh (40 Days of Musa Dagh Mountain; 1979–82). orch.: 2 trombone concertos (1947–51; 1952); 3 Symphonic Dances (1952); 5 syms.: No. 1 for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1953–55), No. 2 (1959–60), No. 3, Sinfonia dramática (1969–70), No. 4 (1974), and No. 5 (1977); Sonata da camera for Oboe and Chamber Orch. (1955); Violin Concerto (1961); Rhapsody for Viola and Orch. (1962); Trumpet Concerto (1963; Prague, April 15, 1965); Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Harpsichord (1967); Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, and Piano (1970); Cello Concerto (1972; Prague, March 7, 1973); Triple Concerto for Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, and Chamber Orch. (1974). chamber: 2 string quartets (1947–48; 1966); Invocation for 4 Trombones (1950); Wind Quintet (1955–56); Sonata for Trombone and Strings (1965); Violin Sonata (1971); Music for 5 Brass Instruments, Omaggio à Leos Janácek (1978); Canzona for Trumpet and Piano (1980); Fantasia for Organ (1981); Inventions for Flute and Piano (1982–83). vocal: Choral works; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire