Novák, Vitězslav (1870–1949)

Czech composer. He made a career as a distinguished teacher of composition and in 1909 was appointed professor at the Prague Conservatory. After World War I, which restored his country's independence, he became professor of the ‘Master School’ and was its director 1919–22.

He was the son of a doctor, but lost his father early and had to support the family by teaching. While studying law at Prague University he attended the Conservatory, studying piano with Jiránek and composition with Dvořák, who persuaded him to devote himself wholly to music. His first works were published with the help of Brahms.

Works Opera operas The Imp of Zvíkov (1915), A Night at Karlstein (1916), The Lantern (1923), The Grandfather's Will (1926), The Wood Nymph.

Ballet Signorina Gioventù, Nikotina.

Orchestral and choral cantatas The Storm and The Spectre's Bride; choral ballads; symphony dedicated to Stalin after the liberation of Prague (1945); symphonic poems In the Tatra, Eternal Longing, Toman and the Wood Nymph, De profundis (1941); overtures The Corsair (after Byron), Maryšs, Lady Godiva; serenade for small orchestra; piano concerto (1895).

Ensemble two string quartets, two piano trios, piano quartet, piano quintet, Sonata eroica, Manfred (ballad after Byron), Songs of Winter Nights, Pan, Exoticon, six sonatinas, Youth (children's pieces), other pieces for piano.

Songs song cycles Gypsy Songs, Melancholy, In the Valley of a New Kingdom, Melancholy Songs of Love, Nocturnes, Eroticon, and other songs; part songs.