Vítězslava Kaprálová facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vítězslava Kaprálová
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Vítězslava Kaprálová in 1935.
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| Born | 24 January 1915 |
| Died | 16 June 1940 (aged 25) |
| Nationality | Czech |
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Works
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List of compositions |
| Style | 20th-century classical music |
Vítězslava Kaprálová (born January 24, 1915 – died June 16, 1940) was a talented Czech composer and conductor. She created amazing classical music in the 20th century.
Contents
Discovering Vítězslava Kaprálová's Life
Vítězslava Kaprálová was born in Brno, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. Today, Brno is in the Czech Republic. Her father, Václav Kaprál, was also a composer, and her mother was a singer.
Her Musical Education and Training
From 1930 to 1935, Vítězslava studied music at the Brno Conservatory. She learned how to compose music with Vilém Petrželka. She also learned how to conduct an orchestra with Zdeněk Chalabala.
She continued her studies in Prague and Paris. In Prague, her teachers included Vítězslav Novák and Václav Talich. In Paris, she learned from famous musicians like Bohuslav Martinů and Charles Munch.
Becoming a Conductor
Vítězslava was not just a composer; she was also a conductor. In 1937, she led the Czech Philharmonic orchestra. A year later, she conducted the BBC Orchestra. She led them in playing her own piece, the Military Sinfonietta.
Her Short but Impactful Life
Sadly, Vítězslava Kaprálová passed away very young, at just 25 years old. She died in Montpellier, France. Even though her life was short, she created many impressive musical works.
Her music was admired by other famous musicians. For example, Rafael Kubelík performed her orchestral song Waving Farewell. The famous pianist Rudolf Firkušný played her piano music. Vítězslava even wrote her well-known piano piece, April Preludes, for him.
In 1946, the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Arts honored her. They made her a member in memoriam, which means after her death. This was a very special honor, as only a few women had received it by 1948.
Recognized Around the World
Vítězslava Kaprálová's music and life continue to be celebrated. In 2015, she was featured on BBC Radio 3 as "Composer of the Week." This was a series of five programs about her music and life.
In 2021, she was one of 58 important people featured in an exhibition in Paris. This exhibition, called Portraits de France, celebrated people who contributed to France's national story.
Exploring Her Musical Compositions
Vítězslava Kaprálová wrote many different kinds of music. Her works include beautiful art songs and pieces for solo piano. She also wrote for a string quartet and a reed trio. She composed music for cello, and for violin and piano.
She wrote larger pieces too, like an orchestral cantata (a piece for singers and orchestra). She also composed two piano concertos, which are big pieces for piano and orchestra. Her other orchestral works include two orchestral suites, a sinfonietta, and a concertino for clarinet, violin, and orchestra.
Many of her compositions were published during her lifetime. Today, her music is still published by well-known companies like Schott and Bärenreiter Verlag. You can also find her music on many record labels, including Chandos and Naxos.
Her Lasting Legacy
The Kapralova Society
Since 1998, a group called the Kapralova Society has helped keep Vítězslava Kaprálová's music and memory alive. This group is based in Toronto, Canada.
The Kapralova Society also works to support women in music. They do this through education and their Kapralova Society Journal. This journal focuses on women in music.
List of Compositions
Here are some of Vítězslava Kaprálová's selected works:
- Suite en miniature, op. 1 for small orchestra
- Two Compositions for Violin and Piano, op. 3
- Song cycle Two Songs, op. 4
- Song cycle Sparks from Ashes, op. 5
- January, for voice, flute, two violins, violoncello and piano
- Sonata Appassionata, op. 6 for piano
- Piano Concerto in D Minor, op. 7
- String Quartet, op. 8
- Grotesque Passacaglia for piano
- Three Piano Pieces, op. 9
- Song cycle Apple from the Lap, op. 10
- Sad Evening, for voice and orchestra
- Military Sinfonietta, op. 11 for large orchestra
- Song cycle Forever, op. 12
- April Preludes, op. 13 for piano
- Waving Farewell, op. 14 for voice and piano/orchestra
- Trio for Oboe, Clarinet, and Bassoon
- Ilena, op. 15. Cantata for soli, mixed choir, reciter and orchestra
- Variations sur le carillon de l'église St-Etienne du Mont, op. 16 for piano
- Elegy, for violin and piano
- Suita Rustica, op. 19 for orchestra
- Partita, op. 20 for piano and string orchestra
- Concertino for Violin, Clarinet and Orchestra, op. 21
- Song cycle Sung into the Distance, op. 22
- Deux ritournelles, op. 25 for violoncello and piano
Images for kids
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Vítězslava Kaprálová in 1935.
See also
- In Spanish: Vítězslava Kaprálová para niños
