Hába, Alois (1893-1973)

Czech composer. Much of his work (after the suite for strings 1917) is based on the division of the scale into quarter-tones. He later employed sixth-tones (as in the fifth quartet, 1923), and fifth-tones (as in the 16th quartet, 1967). He also wrote some 12-tone music, for example Fantasia for nonet (1932).

He gained a knowledge of folk music before he began studying at the Prague Conservatory under Vitězslav Novák. He later became a pupil of Franz Schreker in Vienna, Austria, and Berlin, Germany. While working for Universal Edition in Vienna he gained a good knowledge of Arnold Schoenberg's music. He was appointed professor at the Prague Conservatory in 1924.

Works Opera Matka/Mother (Munich, 1931).

Orchestral overture and symphonic music for orchestra; fantasy for piano and orchestra; violin concerto.

Chamber 16 string quartets (1919-67) and other chamber music.

Instrumental piano sonata and other works (some for quarter-tone piano); works for string instruments.