Jezek, Jaroslav

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Jezek, Jaroslav

Jezek, Jaroslav, Czech composer; b. Prague, Sept. 25, 1906; d. N.Y., Jan. 1, 1942. He studied composition with Jirak and Suk, and also experimented with quarter-tone techniques under the direction of Alois Hâba. In 1928 he became resident composer for the “Liberated Theater,” a Prague satirical revue; produced the scenic music for 20 of its plays. In 1939, shortly before the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis, he emigrated to the U.S.

Works

dramatic: Ballet: Nerves (1928). ORCH.: Piano Concerto (Prague, June 23, 1927); Fantasy for Piano and Orch. (Prague, June 24, 1930); Concerto for Violin and Wind Orch. (Prague, Sept. 26, 1930); Symphonic Poem (Prague, March 25, 1936). CHAMBER: Wind Quartet (1929); Wind Quintet (1931); 2 string quartets (1932, 1941); Violin Sonata (1933); Duo for 2 Violins (1934). Piano: Suite for Quarter Tone Piano (1927); Capriccio (1932); Bagatelles (1933); Rhapsody (1938); Toccata (1939); Sonata (1941).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire