Otakar Jeremiáš

Otakar Jeremiáš is a representative of the traditional branch of Czech music drawing on the legacy of the 19th century composers.

He entered the Prague Conservatory in 1907 to study organ with Josef Klička and musical theory and composition with Karel Stecker. In 1909 and 10 he continued his composition studies privately with Vítězslav Novák, and he also took violoncello lessons with Jan Burian.

Later on, he became a violoncellist in the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the pianist of the Prague Trio. In 1929 he contributed considerably to the establishment of the Czech Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and was appointed chief conductor of the ensemble.

As a conductor and dramatic adviser he worked for the Radio Orchestra until 1945, when he became a conductor at the National Theatre. In 1943 he published two books on music education: Practical Guidelines for Symphonic Orchestra Instrumentation (Praktické pokyny k instrumentaci symfonického orchestru) and Practical Guidelines for Conducting (Praktické pokyny k dirigování). He co-founded O. Ostrčil's and Z. Fibich's Societies, presided the Contemporary Music Association, and was a member of the Club of Orchestral Artists.

He composed mainly large orchestral scores that often included vocal parts, as exemplified by The Gipsy's Fiddle (Cigánovy housle) for solo voices, men's choir and orchestra (1908), the Spring Overture (Jarní ouvertura), op. 9 (1912), Fantasia for grand orchestra and two mixed choirs, op. 12 (1915), and many other compositions.

His legacy also includes several songs, choral pieces, incidental and film music and melodramas. Among Jeremiáš's notable compositions belongs his opera The Karamazov Brothers (1928) that met with substantial success at the National Theatre. He also applied himself to instrumentations of works by both Czech and foreign composers.

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