Ružicka, Rudolf

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Růžička, Rudolf

Růžička, Rudolf , Czech composer and pedagogue; b. Brno, April 25, 1941. After attending the Brno Cons. (1958–62), he studied composition with Theodor Schaefer and Miloslav Ištvan (1962–67) and Miloslav Kabelàč (1967–69) at the Janàček Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (1967–69). In 1969 he joined the faculty of the latter, where he taught courses in electroacoustic and computer composition. As a prominent figure in avant-garde circles, Růžička became suspect in the eyes of the rigid Communist regime. All the same, he persevered in his activities with various avant-garde groups at home and abroad. In 1970 his Gurges won 1^st prize in the Musica Nova competition in Brno and in 1984 his Tibia I received 1^st prize in the Marcel Josse competition in Paris. Following the collapse of the Communist regime in 1989, Růžička assumed an even greater prominence among the avant-garde of his homeland and abroad. While he has composed various works in the traditional genres, he has become best known for his use of computers in producing innovations in the forms and structures of his works.

Works

ORCH. : Suite of Ancient Dances (1964); Cosmic Symphony for Organ and Orch. (1971); Concertante Sym. for Chamber String Orch. (1972); Symphonic Concerto for Violin and Orch. (1972); Festive Overture (1973); Sym. No. 4 (1974); Concerto for Double Bass and Strings (1978); Double Concerto for Oboe, Trumpet, and Orch. (1981); Festive Music for Brass Ensemble (1985). chamber : Divertimento for 2 Flutes and Piano (1960); Miniatures for Flute and Piano (1962); Trio for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1963); Sonata aleatoria for Organ, Piano, and Percussion (1963); Sonata nuova for Cello and Piano (1967); Contaminationi for Bass Clarinet and Piano (1968); Sonata tristefor Trombone and Piano (1972); String Quartet No. 2 (1972); Sonata bravura for Violin or Viola or Cello and Piano (1973); Sextet No. 2 for Flute, Oboe, and String Quartet (1975); Wind Quintet No. 2 (1975); Divertimento for 4 Horns (1979); Suite No. 3 for Clarinet (1980); Nomos I for Flute and Guitar (1981), II for English Horn or Flute or Oboe or Clarinet or Saxophone (1982), and III for Harp (1983); Quartet for 4 Saxophones (1986); Musica giocosa for Chamber Ensemble (1987); Chamber Concerto No. 1 for Oboe or Clarinet and Brass Quintet (1988) and No. 2 for Flute and Viola Ensemble (1988); Fulmen for Percussion (1991). VOCAL : Morning Song, cantata for Chorus and Orch. (1958); Anna for Reciter, Alto, Flute, and Harp (1966); Cantilena Ae Ae Ae for Chorus (1970); Homage to Apollo for Soprano, Alto, Chamber Chorus, Flute, Oboe and Harp (1974); Olympic Songs for Reciter, Bass-baritone, Chamber Chorus, and Chamber Orch. (1976); Eirene for Mixed or Men’s or Children’s Chorus (1977); Auletike for Chorus and Oboe or Flute (1977); Femis for Medium Voice and Instruments (1979); Ode to Aphrodite for Soprano and Harp (1982); The Aeolian Harp for Medium Voice, Harp, and Percussion (1989). other : Electronia A for Alto, Chamber Orch., and Electronics (1964), B for Chamber Chorus, Chamber Orch., and Electronics (1965), and C for Electronics (1966); Timbri for Wind Quintet and Electroacoustics (1967); Deliciae for Double Bass and Electroacoustics (1968); Gurges for Spatial Electroacoustics (1968); Anthroporea for Spatial Electroacoustics (1969); Aphorisms for Reciter and Electroacoustics (1969); Mavors for Electroacoustics (1970); Discordia for Electronics (1970); Cantata Ai Ai A for Mezzo-soprano, Bass-Baritone, Chamber Chorus, Chamber Orch., and Electroacoustics (1971); Tibia for Flute and Electroacoustics (1972); Concertino for Harp and Electroacoustics (1973); Arcanum for Electroacoustics (1974); Malefica for Mezzo-soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Viola, Harpsichord or Piano, and Electroacoustics (1974); Paean for Trombone and Electroacoustics (1976); Tibia 1 for Saxophone and Electroacoustics (1984); Rota for Piano or Harpsichord and Electroacoustics (1985); Suite No. 6 for Synthesizer (1986); Celula for Electroacoustics (1986); Bucina for Trumpet and Electroacoustics (1988); Parabola for Synthesizer (1989); Rosa sepulcreti for Baritone and Electroacoustics (1989); Chamber Concerto No. 3 for Synthesizer and Chamber Orch. (1990); Crucifixion I for Computer (1992); Aves for Electroacoustics and Computer (1994).