Neumann, Věroslav

Neumann, Věroslav, Czech composer and music educator; b. Citoliby, near Louny, May 27, 1931. He studied with Éídky at the Prague Academy of Music (1950–54). Thereafter he was active as a composer and teacher, working in both professional and amateur circles, and with young people. In 1991 he was appointed director of the Prague Cons, and made it his goal to restore that once venerable institution to its pre-Communist days of educational distinction. In his works, Neumann has developed an accessible style with touches of leavening wit.

Works

dramatic: Opera o kominku (Chimney Opera; 1965–66); Glorie, radio opera (1970); Pfibeh se starou lenoskou (Story of an Old Armchair), comic opera (1987). orch.:Ode (1965–66); Invitation to a Cocktail Party (1967); Dedication for Chamber Orch. (1977); Concerto for Trumpet, Strings, and Tape (1980); Symphonic Dances (1984); Soothing (1989). chamber:Music for Viola and Piano (1968); 5 Pieces for 2 Violins (1968); String Quartet (1969); 5 Dramatic Sequences for Cello and Piano (1978); Proclamation for Tuba and Piano (1981); Portraits of a Man for Violin and Piano (1987); An Aging Elegant Gentleman’s Afternoon in a Spa for Clarinet and Piano (1987). vocal:Panorama of Prague for Baritone and Orch. (1962); Chamber Sym. for 16 Singers and 13 Instrumentalists (1972); Christmas for Young Singers for Children’s Chorus and Chamber Orch. (1976); In Bohemia, cantata for Girl’s Chorus and Orch. (1983); Elements for Medium Voice, Cello, and Organ (1989); various choruses; other songs. other: Didactic pieces.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire