Páleníček, Josef

Páleníček, Josef, Czech pianist, pedagogue, and composer; b. Travnik, July 19,1914; d. Prague, March 7, 1991. He made his debut as a pianist at 11. After training with Hoffmeister (piano) and šín and Novák (composition) at the Prague Cons., he studied in Paris with Alexanian and Fournier (chamber music), Roussel, and Cortot. Returning to Prague, he co-founded the Smetana Trio in 1934, which later became the Czech Trio. He toured widely from 1935. In 1963 he became a teacher at the Prague Academy of Music. In 1967 he was made an Artist of Merit and in 1977 was awarded the State Prize by the Czech government. As a solo pianist, he distinguished himself as an interpreter of Janáček.

Works dramatic

Ballet: Kytice (Bouquet; 1980–82). orch.: Concertino (1937–45); 3 piano concertos (1939, 1953, 1961); Saxophone Concerto (1944); Flute Concerto (1955); Concertino da camera for Clarinet and Orch. (1957); Symphonic Variations on an Imaginary Portrait of Ilya Ehrenburg (1971); Cello Concerto (1973); Sinfonietta for Strings (1977). chamber: Piano Quintet (1933); Preludium a capriccio for Violin and Piano (1935); Clarinet Sonatina (1936); Choral Variations for Cello and Piano (1942); Little Suite for Clarinet and Piano (1943); String Quartet (1954); Masks for Saxophone and Piano (1957); Little Suite for Violin and Piano (1958); Variations for Cello and Piano (1972); Rondo concertante for Cello and Piano (1972); Suita in modo antico for Cello and Piano (1973); Concertant Etudes for Double Bass and Piano (1975); Pictures for Flute, Bass, Clarinet, Piano, and Percussion (1976); Tre concertini for Clarinet and Piano (1977); piano pieces. vocal:Song of Man, oratorio (1952–58); Trio Sonata for Mezzo-soprano, Oboe, and Piano (1965).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire