Piano Sonata No.3 Op.57

Kalabis Piano Sonata No.3 Op.57

Viktor Kalabis (1923-2006) was an internationally recognized 20th-century Czech composer whose artistry persevered despite Nazi and Communist oppression. He was born in the Bohemian town of Cerveny Kostelec to a family steeped in music, and at the age of six he was giving public piano performances. Though forced into factory work during the Nazi occupation, he was able to commute to Prague to study with Jaroslav Ridky and Pavel Dedecek. After the war, he completed his studies at the Prague Conservatory, the Academy of Music, and Charles University, where he met famed harpsichordist Zuzana Ruzickova; the two were married in 1952. Though their refusal to join the Communist Party brought them significant adversity, they achieved enormous international success. 

The Prague Spring of 1968 and the Russian occupation greatly influenced Viktor’s music, and the 1989 Velvet Revolution at last brought him many opportunities. Kalabis remained dedicated to composing and served as the long-time president of the Bohuslav Martinu Foundation. His music has been widely performed, with commissions by the Czech Philharmonic, The Dresden Philharmonic, Josef Suk, Janos Starker, the Prague Spring Festival, and many others. 

(Text from the wesbite of the Terezín Music Foundation www.terezinmusic.org)