NOVÁČEK, RUDOLF (1860-1929)

Rudolf Nováček, Czech military conductor and composer, was born on April 7, 1860, the son of Martin Josef Nováček, in Bela Crkva (which later became Yugoslavia) and died in August 12, 1929 in Prague. He studied at the Conservatory of Music in Vienna under Helmesberger and Volkmann until 1882. As a capable violinist, along with his father and brothers, he played in a well-known string quintet.

 

As a military conductor, he spent two years in Plzeň (1882-1884) and two in Prague (1884-1886). He had very good relationships with the prominent Czech composers Antonín Dvořák, Zdeněk Fibich, and Karel Bendl.

 

Following his military carreer, he engaged in music teaching in Bucharest, Bulgaria, and also directed music in Russia, Holland, Germany and Bulgaria. Undoubtedly, his very popular march, "Castaldo," op. 40 (1884), a march Nováček wrote for the 28th Regiment as well as "Na zdar nasi vystave" brought him fame and invitations to conduct his music. Early publication of his music was by Hoffmann, Stareho, MU, FU, B & H and others.

 

Nováček composed much pianoforte music including Mala suita, a collection for young Czech piano players, Valciky (Waltzes) for an album of Czech dances, a Sonata for Violin, Romance-a Concerto for Violoncello and Piano, (1889, FU), a Symphony for Wind Orchestra (1888), Othello, and many other works.

 

Following his father’'s death in 1890, he took over his father'’s music institute in Temesvár which he managed for the next 30 years until 1920. In 1921, he was promoted to be an army conductor, but did not except this position and returned to Temesvár. From this time on, he concentrated solely on his music. In 1929, at the age of 69, he visited Prague to undergo medical treatment but did not survive the operation. He is buried in Prague.