SEIDEL, JAN (1908-1998)

Jan Seidel, Czech composer, was born 25 December 1908 in Nymburk, Bohemia, died 6 June 1998 in Prague. He was first attracted to architecture and graphic art, and also attended Alois Hába’s classes in quartertone composition at the Prague Conservatory (1936–40). He then took private lessons in theory with J.B. Foerster for a more traditional musical training. He was a composer, conductor, and pianist in E.F. Burian’s Theater; acted as artistic adviser to the recording firm Esta (1938–45) and the Gramophone Corp. (1945–53); was chief of the Opera of the National Theater (1958–64); then served as dramatic adviser there. In 1976 he was made a National Artist by the Czech government. His String Quartet No. 2 is in the quarter tone system, but most of his music is based on folk song tradition according to the doctrine of socialist realism.