Jana Obrovská

Jana Obrovská was a Czech composer.

Biography

Jana Obrovská was born in Prague, the daughter of painter and sculptor Jakub Obrovský. Her early studies were piano with B. Kabeláčová-Rixová and theory with Jaroslav Řídký. At the Prague Conservatory she studied with M. Krejčí and Emil Hlobil from 1949-55. She won a prize in the 1972 Concours International de Guitarre in Paris for Passocaglia und Toccata. Her Hommage a Béla Bartók became compulsory in the same Paris competition in 1975. Obrovská also composed music for orchestra and chamber ensembles.
Obrovská married guitar virtuoso Milan Zelenka and the couple had a son, guitarist Vilém Zelenka who often plays in a duo with his father.

Obrovská's compositions have been recorded and issued on CD, including:

Passacaglia and Toccata for guitar, A. Artzt, Helios CD CDH88026
Due Musici and Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra, M. Zelenka and L. Brabec with Radio Symphony Orchestra Pilsen, Supraphon VT2789-2
Homage to Béla Bartók for guitar, R. Aussel HARMONIA MUNDI CD in MAN4802
Four images of Japan for guitar, Tribute to Hiroshige - Homage to Hokusai - Tribute to Utamara - Tribute to Sharaku, R. Aussel HARMONIA MUNDI CD in MAN4802
Preludia and Hommage a Choral Gothique for guitar,... A Ty Taky Jdi do Ithaky..., P. Steidl WILLIAM RECORDING WR001