Břetislav Bakala

Břetislav Bakala ( born February 12, 1897 in Freistadt, † April 1, 1958 in Brno ) was Czech conductor, choirmaster and composer.

Life

Bakala, son of a teacher couple who acquired his basic musical notes while organist Josef Dolezal. He attended high school in Kremsier and was taught from 1912 to 1915 of Leoš Janáček at the Brno Organ School. After the First World War, he began his studies at the State Conservatory in Brno. He laid The successful tests turn off at Janáček. 1920-1925 he worked as a coach and later as conductor of the Opera of the National Theatre in Brno. From his teacher and promoter František Neumann, he was commissioned productions of operas Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák and Leoš ballet by Bohuslav Martinů and Janáček.

From 1925 to 1926 he appeared as organist at the Cathedral in Philadelphia. After his return, he appeared as pianist and conductor of the Orchestra of the Czechoslovak Radio in Brno. In 1936 he accepted the post of choirmaster of the Vachs choir, which he held for 22 years. 1937 he was appointed head of the music department of the radio station. On 1 January 1956 Bakala was appointed Director and Chief Conductor of the Radio Orchestra.

Works

Bakala was a guarantee of a high artistic level. He devoted himself to his teaching activities at the Janáček Academy of the Performing Arts and trained there many leading conductors. As a pianist, he accompanied his wife Marie Bakalova, an excellent concert and opera singer. As an admirer of Leoš Janáček, he led some of his works first on (1921 The Diary of One Who Disappeared, 1930 Opera House of the Dead ). He has published numerous edits Moravian songs and choruses.

Honors

Břetislav Bakala in 1954 was awarded the title of Honored Artist.

Student of Břetislav Bakala

• Jaroslav Opela, Czech conductor