Vomáčka, Boleslav

Vomácka, Boleslav, Czech composer; b. Miada Boleslav, June 28, 1887; d. Prague, March 1, 1965. He studied law at the Charles Univ. in Prague (LL.D., 1913) and studied organ (1906-09), composition (with Novak; 1909-10), and singing (with Krummer) at the Prague Cons. He was in the service of the Labor Ministry in Prague (1919-50); wrote music criticism in several newspapers there; was ed. of Listy Hudební Matice (1922-35). In 1955 he was made an Artist of Merit by the Czech government. He publ. Josef Suk (Prague, 1922), Stanislav Suda (Prague, 1933), and Sukova sborová tvorba (Suk’s Choral Works; Prague, 1935). He began to compose early in life, developing a strong national style.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Vodntk (The Water Spirit; 1934-37; Prague, Dec. 17, 1937); Čekanky (Waiting for a Husband; 1939; 1956-57); Boleslav I (1953-55; Prague, March 8, 1957). ORCH.: Ciaconna (1910); Sym. (1945); Dukla,overture (1948); Fanfary miru (Fanfares of Peace) for Trumpet and Orch. (1960). CHAMBER: Violin Sonata (1912); Duo for Violin and Cello (1925-27); Sonatina for 2 Violins (1936; also for Violin and Viola and as Kvartetinofor String Quartet, 1941); Nonet for Wind Instruments (1957); String Quartet (1959). P i a n o : 2 sonatas (1917; Sonata quasi fantasia,1942); other pieces. VOCAL: Cantatas: Romance Svatojirská (Romance of St. George; 1920,1943); Zivimrtvym (To the Dead; 1927-28; Prague, Feb. 24, 1929); Strázce majáku (The Keeper of the Lighthouse; 1931-33); Prapor miru nad Duklou (The Banner of Peace Over Duklou; 1951); Bojka partyzánka (The Partisan Struggle; 1952). Other: Many choral works; sets of songs.

Bibliography

H. Dolezil, B. V.(Prague, 1941).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire