Rogalski, Theodor

Rogalski, Theodor , Romanian conductor, teacher, and composer; b. Bucharest, April 11, 1901; d. Zürich, Feb. 2, 1954. He was a student of Gheorghe Cucu (theory), Castaidi (composition), and Cuclin (music history) at the Bucharest Cons. (1919–20), of Karg-Elert (conducting and composition) at the Leipzig Cons. (1920–23), and of d’Indy (composition) and Ravel (orchestration) in Paris (1924). Returning to Bucharest, he was conductor of the Radio Sym. Orch. (1930-51), and then of the Phil.: he also was prof. of orchestration at the Cons. (from 1950). In 1923 and 1926 he was awarded the Enesco Prize for composition. In 1953 he was made a Merited Artist by the Romanian government. His music was permeated by the spirit of Romanian folk melos, while his harmony and orchestration revealed coloristic infusions.

Works

DRAMATIC: Ballet : Fresque antique (1923). ORCH.: Rondo (1921); 2 Dansuri romänesti (1926; Bucharest, Jan. 20, 1927); 2 Symphonic Sketches (1929; Bucharest, May 11, 1930); 2 Capricii (1932); 3 Dansuri romänesti (1950; Bucharest, May 27, 1951). chamber:Crépuscule for Violin and Piano (1922); Frühlingsnacht for 2 Violins and Viola (1922); String Quartet (1923); Esquisse for Violin and Piano (1923); Sonet for Violin and Piano (1924); Porumbel for Violin (1925); La chef for String Quartet (1928); piano pieces, including a Sonata (1919). Vocal: Many songs with orch. or piano.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire