Ilja Hurnik (*22.11. 1922 Poruba)

Czech composer, pedagogue, writer and playwright. Born in teacher's family, began to compose in the age of 11. In 1938 after seizure of Czech-German borders by Hitler, the family moved to Prague. Hurnik studied conservatory there (composition under V. Novak, piano under V. Kurz), later also Musical Academy. As musician, he was recognized interpreter of Debussy and Janacek's piano works. In his composition, he was influenced by traditional music of his native Silesia (on Czech-Polish border), also impressionism, neoclassicism and New Music. Step by step without big style changes, he developed a very specific musical language of his own. He is the author of several musical textbooks and a keen popularizer of classical music (8 LP set Art of Music Listening, 19911998). His sister married the well known composer Petr Eben, his son Lukas is also a recognized composer. His three nephews have a popular folk band of the Eben Brothers.

Works:

• Piano Music
• Preludios 1942
• Sonatina in C 1951
• New clavecin 1975
• Home Music for piano in 4 hands, 1963
• Waltzes for Piano in 4 hands, 1971
• Four hand piano (theory, exercises, concertant etudes), 1981
• Variations on Pergolesi theme for 4 hand piano, 1983
• Innocenza for 4 hand piano, 1992
• Chamber Works
• Concertino Violin and Piano
• 3 wind Quintets
• Four Seasons * Suite for chamber orchestra, 1953
• Sonata da camera for flute, oboe (violin), cellopro, cello and piano (cemballo), 1952
• Sonata pro violin and piano 1957
• Exercizi for fl. Ob. Cl. Fg., 1958
• Solomon for baritone and string quartet, 1961
• Moments musicaux for wind ensemble, 1962
• Chabmer music for strings, 1962
• Gloria di flauti for 2 flutes 1972
• Brass quintet 1987
• Suite for saxophone and piano 1979
• Orchestral and concert works
• Partita for flute, strings and piano, 1950
• Concert for flute and orchestra 1953
• Concert for oboe, cembalo and strings 1954
• Concertino for piano and strings, 1978
• Symfonieta for orchestra, 1996
• Symfonie in C for orchestra, 2000
• Vocal music
• Flowers for Soprano and Piano, 1940
• Loneliness-Cycle for basso and piano (orchestra) on oriental lyrics 1942
• Songs with flute on lyrics of Fr. Branislav and own, 1950
• June Night for childrens's Choir and piano on traditional lyrics; 1965
• Season Madrigals for Chamber Choir and band, own lyrics, 1982
• Watr Little Watr for children's Choir a capella, 1985
• Missa Vinea Crucis (for children's choir and orchestra or organ), 1991
• musical-dramatic works
• 7 operas
• oratorios and cantatas

References:

Wikipedia
Official site of Ilja and Lukas Hurnik (Czech only)
Little Encyclopedia of Musioc (dr. Jar. Smolka; &col., Supraphon 1983)
Book of Music (V.Holzknecht and col., Orbis 1964)

Sample: Odvod/Recruiting (adaptation of traditional folk song from cycle Cursed War,1975))