Václav Nelhýbel (September 24,áclavNelhý 1919 – March 22, 1996) was a Czech American composer, mainly of works for student performers.
Life and career
Nelhýbel was born the youngest of five children in Polanka, Czechoslovakia. He received his early musical training in Prague, going to both Charles University in Prague and Prague Conservatory. In 1942 he went to Switzerland, where he studied at University of Fribourg; after 1947 he taught there. In 1957 he came to the United States, where he taught at several schools, including Lowell State College. He served as Composer-in-Residence at University of Scranton for several years until his death. The University Department of Performance Music continues to house his full collection of works.
Some of his music is for wind instruments or concert band, and most of his published music is designed for student performers. He used non-functional modal writing, pandiatonicism, and motor rhythms extensively.
Nelhýbel received numerous prizes and awards for his compositions, which include a prize at the International Music and Dance Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, for his ballet "In the Shadow of the Limetree". In 1954, he was also awarded the first prize of the Ravitch Foundation in New York for his opera "A Legend", and in 1978 he won an award from the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts. Four American universities honored him with honorary doctoral degrees in music.
In addition to his works for winds, he wrote three ballets, three operas, and a symphony.
He was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Kappa Psi.
Works
Orchestra
1964 Etude symphonique
1966 Passacaglia for Orchestra and Solo Piano
1967 Dies ultima for Orchestra, SATB Chorus, SATB Soli, Narrator, Speaking Chorus and Jazz Band 1967 Music for Orchestra 1968 Movement for Orchestra 1972 A mighty fortress 1973 Polyphonies 1974 Aegean Modes 1976 Finale 1977 Concerto spirituoso No. 4 for Orchestra, String Quartet and Solo Voice 1976 Slavonic Triptych 1979 Lincoln Scene 1980 Six Fables for all time for Orchestra, SATB Chorus and Narrator 1981 Overture for Orchestra 1985 New Orleans Concerto Cantique des cantiques for Orchestra, Soprano Solo, Harp and Piano Cantus Concertante for Orchestra, Violin, Viola, Cello Soli and Soprano Solo Canzona e Toccata feroce Christmas in Bohemia for Mixed Choir and Orchestra Concerto spirituoso No. 5 for Orchestra, Saxophone Quartet and String Quartet Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra Concerto for Viola and Orchestra Concertino for Chamber Orchestra and Piano Divertimento for Brass Quintet and Orchestra Fantasia Concertante Fantasy on America for Festival Orchestra, Solo Violin and Youth Solo Section Four Australian Songs for Orchestra and (SA) Chorus Four readings from Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" for Orchestra (or Piano) and Male Solo Voice Graffiti Pompeiani for Orchestra, SSATTBB Soli and Piano Houston Concerto Jesu meine Freude Kindermarch Let there be Music for Orchestra, SATB Chorus, Baritone Voice Solo, Piano, Bass Guitar and Electric Guitar Music for Woodwind Quintet and Orchestra Praise the Lord for Orchestra, SATB Chorus, SATB Soli and Piano Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra Rhapsody in D for Orchestra, String Quartet and Piano Sine Nomine for SATB Chorus, SATB Soloists, Orchestra and Band Sinfonie contra Plagam for Orchestra and SATB Chorus Sinfonietta Concertante Three Modes for Orchestra for Orchestra and Piano Two Movements for Chamber Orchestra
