Wiedermann Bedrich Antonín

views updated

Wiedermann Bedřich Antonín

Wiedermann, Bedřich Antonín, Czech organist, pedagogue, and composer; b. Ivano vice na Hané, Nov. 10,1883; d. Prague, Nov. 5,1951. He studied theology in Olmiitz (1904-08), during which period he deputized as organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral. He then studied with Klicka (organ, 1908-09) and Novak (composition, 1909-10) at the Prague Cons. After serving as organist in Brunn (1910-11) and Prague (1911-17), he was choirmaster in Karlin (1917-19) and a violisi in the Czech Phil. in Prague. From 1920 to 1932 he gave a series of organ recitals at Prague’s Smetana Hall, which featured works of Bach, Handel, Franck, and Czech composers of the Baroque era. He also toured England and the U.S. (1924), Germany (1925), Sweden (1926), and Belgium (1935). In 1917 he became a teacher at the Prague Cons., where he led a master class from 1944. In 1946 he was made a prof. at the Prague Academy of Arts. Among his compositions were various organ pieces.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire