Hanuš, Jan

Hanuš, Jan, Czech composer; b. Prague, May 2, 1915. He became a composition student of Jeremiáš in 1934, and he also studied conducting at the Prague Cons. with Dëdexček (1935-37; 1939-41). He worked as an ed. in music publishing houses and was active in Czech music organizations. His music is marked by a lyrical Romanticism tinged by stringent dissonant textures. Hanuš completed the instrumentations of the unfinished operas Tkalci by Nejedlý and Balada o lásce by Doubrava.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Plameny (Flames; 1942-44); Sluha dvou pânû (Servant of 2 Masters; 1958); Pochoden Prométheova (Torch of Prometheus; 1961-63); Pohadka jedné noci (Story of 1 Night; 1961-68). ba11et:Sŭl nad zlato (Salt is Worth More than Gold; 1953); Othello (1955–56); Labyrint (1981). ORCH.: 7syms. (1942, 1951,1957, 1960,1965, 1978,1990); The Eulogy, sinfonietta for Soprano and Orch. (1945); Concertante Symphony for Organ, Harp, Timpani, and Strings (1953–54); Petr a Lucie, fantasy (1955); Overture after Whitman’s The Bugler’s Secret (1961); Double Concerto for Oboe, Harp, and Orch. (1965); Relay Race (1968); Musica Concertante for Cello, Piano, Winds, and Percussion (1969–70); Concerto Grosso for Large Wind Orch. (1971); Prazska nokturna for Chamber Orch. (1972–73); 3 Essays (1975–76); Variations and Collage (1982–83); Concerto-fantasia for Cello and Orch. (1990–91). CHAMBER: Fantasy for String Quartet (1939); Sonata-Rhapsody for Cello and Piano (1941); Suite to Paintings by Manes for Violin and Piano (1948); Serenata semplice for Nonet (1953; rev. 1970); Suita dramatica for String Quartet (1959); Piano Trio, Frescoes (1961); Suita domestica for Wind Quintet (1964); Concertino for 2 Percussionists and Tape (1972); Sonata Seria for Violin and Percussion (1974); Sonata Variata for Clarinet (1976); Tower Music for Brass Quintet (1976); In Praise of Chamber Music, sextet for Flute, Oboe, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Harpsichord (1979); Lyric Triptych for String Quartet (1987–88); Sonata variata a tre for Clarinet, Percussion, and Piano (1996); piano pieces; organ music. VOCAL: 7 masses (1943; 1950; 1954; 1959; 1966; 1972-73; 1985); The Message for Baritone, Chorus, 2 Prepared Pianos, Electric Guitar, Percussion, and Tape (1969); The Swallows, concerto piccolo for Chorus, Flute, and Cello (1973); The Passion According to Matthew for Solo Voices and Chorus (1977–78); Ecce Homo, oratorio (1980); The Passion According to John for Solo Voices and Chorus (1982); Litanie k Panně (Litany to the Virgin) for Soloist, Chorus, and Orch. (1997); cantatas; choruses; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire