Alexander Moyzes

Alexander Moyzes (1906–1984) was one of the leading Slovakian composers of his generation, who created a nationally inspired style. He was born into a musical family in 1906 at Kláštor pod Znievom, Austro-Hungarian Empire. His father was the composer and educator Mikuláš Moyzes. In 1925, Alexander entered the Prague Conservatory, where he studied organ, conducting and composition. He graduated in 1929 and went on to study in the master class of Vítězslav Novák, from which he graduated in the following year with his Overture for Orchestra, Opus 10. It was Novák who directed his attention to Slovak music, the source of his inspiration. In 1941, he became professor of composition at the Bratislava Conservatory and spent a number of years as principal music advisor to Radio Bratislava. On its foundation in 1949, he was appointed professor of composition at the Bratislava Music Academy, where he taught no less than three generations of Slovak composers. He headed the Academy as Rector from 1965 until 1971, and over the years undertook many important functions in the musical life of his country. He wrote 12 symphonies, 4 string quartets, a violin concerto, a flute concerto and other pieces.