Prague Concert Life, 1850-1881

Person details

Josef Leopold Zvonař

Zvonař, Josef Leopod (1824-1865). Czech composer, music pedagogue, scholar and theoretician. Provincial musical background. Provisionally accepted into the Prague Organists School in 1842 on account of poor ability and training, but supported and encouraged by the Director Karel Pitsch who leant him a clavichord to develop his keyboard skills. By 1844 had progressed sufficiently to become Pitsch’s assistant, after which he became second teacher of organ playing and of choral song at the School. In 1859 was passed over to succeed as Director of Organ School; he resigned his post and became director of the Žofín Academy (1860-1863) as well as occupying various other music teaching positions. He had many private pupils and was active too as a critic, scholar and theoretician. He contributed many critical text to the Czech newspaper Národní listy, as well as important articles on Czech music and on music theory to the music periodicals Dalibor and Slavoj. Founder member of the patriotic male-voice choir Prague Hlahol, from the committee of which he resigned in October 1863. One of the five founders member of the musical circle of the Umělecká beseda. His substantial body of compositions include an opera Záboj, much church music, orchestral, chamber, instrumental and piano works, as well as Czech songs and choruses. The German-language Prague newspaper Tagesbote aus Böhmen 31/7/1857 reported that ‘Mr Leopold Zwonař, already well-known as an able composer, has now completed his second Sonata.’ Later that same year, Tagesbote aus Böhmen 17/9/1857 published news of Zvonař’s activities in the collection and publication of old Bohemian chorales and church songs. The source noted that just published in Leipzig was the first of volume of „Zpěvy ku veškerém čáslem mše svaté. Ze staročeského kancionálu opatřil J.L.Z. [Songs to all of the parts of the holy Mass. From old-Czech chorales gathered J.L.Z.]“ This comprised music for the Mass arranged from Czech chorales and divided into settings for alternating chorus and congregational singing. The correspondent reported that Zvonař undertook to comply with the rules of the Church for liturgical setting, in addition to the requirements of his art.

Events in which this person participated as a director of ensemble

Events in which this person participated as a director of institute

Events in which this person participated as a organist