Rudolf Matz (19 September 1901 – 22 March 1988) was a

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

who wrote about 500 instrumental and vocal compositions. Matz lived in the

Austro-Hungarian Empire Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...

in the

Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia The Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia ( hr, Kraljevina Hrvatska i Slavonija; hu, Horvát-Szlavónország or ; de-AT, Königreich Kroatien und Slawonien) was a nominally autonomous kingdom and constitutionally defined separate political nation with ...

. He was born in

Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Croatia#List of cities and towns, largest city of Croatia. It is in the Northern Croatia, northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slop ...

, 1901 and died in that same city in 1988. He was an important figure in the musical life of Zagreb in the 20th century. In addition to working as a composer, he was a cellist, teacher, conductor and choirmaster. He worked in music for more than six decades – from 1920 right up to his death. He performed with eminent professional musicians as well as with skilled amateurs. His wife Margita was a pianist, harpsichordist and keyboard teacher.

Career

Leonard Rose Leonard Joseph Rose (July 27, 1918 – November 16, 1984) was an American cellist and pedagogue. Biography Rose was born in Washington, D.C.; his parents were Jewish immigrants, his father from Bragin, Belarus, and his mother from Kyiv, ...

called Matz, "perhaps the greatest cello theoretician in the world."

Janos Starker János or Janos may refer to: * János, male Hungarian given name, a variant of John Places * Janos Municipality, a municipality of Chihuahua ** Janos, Chihuahua, town in Mexico ** Janos Biosphere Reserve, a nature reserve in Chihuahua * Janos ...

said, "Rudolph Matz's dedication and expertise has produced much needed material for the young

cellist The cello ( ; plural ''celli'' or ''cellos'') or violoncello ( ; ) is a bowed (sometimes plucked and occasionally hit) string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually tuned in perfect fifths: from low to high, C2, G2, D3 ...

." Matz studied

violoncello The cello ( ; plural ''celli'' or ''cellos'') or violoncello ( ; ) is a bowed (sometimes plucked and occasionally hit) string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually tuned in perfect fifths: from low to high, C2, G2, D ...

composition Composition or Compositions may refer to: Arts and literature *Composition (dance), practice and teaching of choreography *Composition (language), in literature and rhetoric, producing a work in spoken tradition and written discourse, to include v ...

and

conducting Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance, such as an orchestral or choral concert. It has been defined as "the art of directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers by the use of gesture." The primary duti ...

at the

Zagreb Academy of Music The Academy of Music ( hr, Muzička akademija or MUZA) is a Croatian music school based in Zagreb. It is one of the three art academies affiliated with the University of Zagreb, along with the Academy of Dramatic Art and the Academy of Fine Arts. ...

, from which he graduated in 1926. He became Professor of

Cello The cello ( ; plural ''celli'' or ''cellos'') or violoncello ( ; ) is a Bow (music), bowed (sometimes pizzicato, plucked and occasionally col legno, hit) string instrument of the violin family. Its four strings are usually intonation (music), t ...

at the

Zagreb Music Academy The Academy of Music ( hr, Muzička akademija or MUZA) is a Croatian music school based in Zagreb. It is one of the three art academies affiliated with the University of Zagreb, along with the Academy of Dramatic Art and the Academy of Fine Arts. ...

(1940/41 and 1950 until his retirement in 1972), achieving international renown for his cello-teaching methods, which he brought together in a compendium entitled '

First Years of the Cello First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1). First or 1st may also refer to: *World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement Arts and media Music * 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and rec ...

' in 32 volumes (1948-1962). He would be invited to take part in the work of juries in cello competitions, in

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

and

Florence Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...

. Rudolf and Margita Matz donated their long-time home in the second floor flat at 15 Mesnicka Street to

Zagreb City Museum Zagreb City Museum or Museum of the City of Zagreb ( hr, Muzej grada Zagreba) located in 20 Opatička Street, was established in 1907 by the Association of the Brethren of the Croatian Dragon ( hr, Braća hrvatskoga zmaja). It is located in a ...

, together with their invaluable effects. The Margita and Rudolf Matz Memorial Collection will be set up in the apartment, once famed for its encounters with musicians and its intimate concerts (in 1967, for instance, Matz was visited here by celebrated cellist

Mstislav Rostropovich Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, (27 March 192727 April 2007) was a Russian cellist and conductor. He is considered by many to be the greatest cellist of the 20th century. In addition to his interpretations and technique, he was wel ...

Selected works

*''Faun'' *''Concerto for Flute and Strings'' (1963) *''Concertino in Modo Antico for Violoncello and Strings'' *''Sonata in E Minor for Violoncello and Pianoforte'' *''Sonata No. 1 in D Minor for Violoncello and Pianoforte'' *''String Quartet No. 1 in F Minor'' *''Classical Concerto in D Major for Violoncello and Orchestra'' *''String Quartet No. 3 in C Major 'Pastoral

References

External links

Rudolf Matz BiographyRudolf Matz Personal Papers Collection
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matz, Rudolf 1901 births 1988 deaths Musicians from Zagreb Vladimir Nazor Award winners 20th-century composers Cellists 20th-century cellists

Career

Selected works

References

Further reading

External links