Leoš Janáček (1854–1928) was a Czech composer, teacher, conductor, pianist, writer, and folklorist. He was born in Hukvaldy, but spent most of his life in Brno, where the majority of his works premiered. According to the National Theatre Brno website, he is among the most remarkable music creators of the twentieth century.[1]
Standing in Music
By date of birth, Janáček belongs to the generation of Antonín Dvořák, but according to the National Theatre Brno, his compositions belong to the most progressive music of the past century. At nearly seventy years old, he stood alongside composers one or two generations younger, such as Arnold Schönberg, Alban Berg, and Igor Stravinsky. Toward the end of his life he became one of the most popular composers, yet remained closely tied to Brno. He contributed to the development of the city's cultural life through organizational, conducting, and pedagogical activities.[1]
Childhood and Studies
In 1865, at the age of eleven, he came from Hukvaldy to Brno. His father sent him to the foundation of the Augustinian Abbey of St. Thomas in Old Brno. At that time the abbey was led by the enlightened abbot Cyril Napp, and among those active there were, for example, the composer Pavel Křížkovský, the founder of genetics Gregor Mendel, and the philosopher and journalist František Matouš Klácel. Musically talented boys admitted to the foundation were called "modráčci" (“little blue boys”) after their light-blue uniforms, and received a high-quality musical education so that they could take part in the abbey's performances and concerts.[1]
Janáček then studied at a German secondary school focused on the humanities and natural sciences, and at the Brno Teacher Training Institute. After graduating in 1874, he stayed on there as an assistant teacher. In 1874 he was also admitted to the Prague Organ School. In 1879 and 1880 he briefly studied at the conservatories in Leipzig and Vienna, but concluded that there was nothing more for him to learn there.[1]
Activity in Brno
He worked as a choirmaster and conductor at the Svatopluk Tradesmen's Association (1873–1876) and at the Brno Beseda Philharmonic Society (1876–1888). Under his leadership, the Beseda developed into a large cantata ensemble, with which he could perform works such as Mozart's Requiem, Beethoven's Missa solemnis, and Dvořák's Stabat Mater. At that time he was already composing and moving away from a teaching career. He also became involved in the Czech National Theatre Cooperative in Brno, the Russian Circle, and the Friends of Art Club.[1]
Shortly after returning from Leipzig, he married Zdenka Schulzová, daughter of the director of the Teacher Training Institute. According to the National Theatre Brno website, the marriage was not very happy, and the first serious crisis came soon after the wedding, even though the couple had a daughter, Olga.[1]