Weinberger, Jaromír (1896–1967)

Czech composer. He was professor of composition at the Conservatory of Ithaca, New York 1922–26; he later returned to Europe to conduct and teach. His best-known work, the folk-opera Schvanda the Bagpiper was premiered at Prague in 1927. His four later operas did not repeat its success, but the orchestral variations on ‘Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree’ (1939) made a momentary hit.

Weinberger studied with Hoffmeister and Kricka in Prague and with Reger in Germany. He settled in the USA in 1938.

Works Dramatic the operas Shvanda the Bagpiper (1927), The Beloved Voice (1931), The Outcasts of Poker Flat (after Bret Harte, 1932), and Wallenstein (after Schiller); pantomime The Abduction of Eveline; incidental music for Shakespeare's and other plays.

Orchestral variations on the English song, ‘Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree’ for piano and orchestra (1939), Lincoln Symphony, Czech Rhapsody for orchestra.

Other works for organ, piano, violin.