Ridký, Jaroslav

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Řidký, Jaroslav

Řidký, Jaroslav , eminent Czech composer and teacher; b. Františkov, near Liberec, Aug. 25, 1897; d. Podëbrady, Aug. 14, 1956. He took courses in composition at the Prague Cons. (1919–23) with K. Jirák, J. Kříčka, and E.B. Foerster, continuing his training in Foerster’s master class there (1923–26); also studied harp. He was first harpist in the Czech Phil. (1924–38), and also was conductor of its choir (1925–30). He taught theory at the Prague Cons. (1928–48), and was named a teacher (1946) and a prof. (1955) of composition at the Prague Academy of Music.

Works

ORCH. : Sinfonietta (1923); 7 syms: No. 1 (1924), No. 2 for Orch. and Cello obbligato (1925), No. 3 (1927), No. 4 for Chorus and Orch. (1928), No. 5 (1930–31), No. 6, The Year 1938 (1938; unfinished), and No. 7 (1955); Violin Concerto (1926); Overture (1928–29); 2 cello concertos (1930, 1940); Serenade for Strings (1941); Chamber Sinfonietta (1944–45); Piano Concerto (1952); Slavonic March (1954). chamber: 2 cello sonatas (1923; 1947–48); Clarinet Quintet (1926); 5 string quartets (1926, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1937); Serenata appassionata for Cello and Piano (1929); 2 nonets (1933–34; 1943); Wind Quintet (1945); Joyous Sonatina for Violin and Piano (1947); Piano Trio (1950–51); piano pieces. VOCAL : 2 cantatas: A Winter Fairytale (1936) and To My Fatherland (1941); choruses.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire