Osvald Chlubna


Osvald Chlubna was a Czech composer.

Life and career

Chlubna was born on 22 July 1893 in Brno. Intending originally to study engineering, Chlubna switched his major and from 1914 to 1924, he studied composition with Leoš Janáček. Until 1953, he worked as a clerk. Later, he taught at the Organ School in Brno for many years. He worked in many art organisations in Brno. Chlubna's works can be defined by three distinct periods: Romanticism, Impressionism, all the way to the Modern Constructivism. He delved into Symbolism as well. He used the texts of symbolic Czech poets, such as Otakar Březina, Jaroslav Vrchlický, Jaroslav Durych and others. He wrote several cycles of compositions for piano and organ, as well as instrumental concerts, symphonies, ouvertures and cantatas. He wrote many operas, often using his own librettos, such as The Revenge of Catullus based on the work of Vrchlický, Alladina and Palomid, Ňura, How the Death came in the World, Jiří from Kunštát and Poděbrady, Cradle, Eupyros. He also wrote texts and articles primarily about Janáček.
Chlubna died on 30 October 1971 in Brno, at the age of 78.

Selected works

OperaPomsta Catullova, 1 Act ; libretto by the composer based on the work of Jaroslav VrchlickýAlladina a Palomid, 3 Acts ; libretto by the composer based on the work of Maurice MaeterlinckŇura, 2 Acts ; libretto by O. DymovJak smrt přišla do světa ; libretto by the composerFreje pána z Heslova, 4 Acts ; libretto by F. L. StroupežnichkýJiří z Kunštátu a Poděbrad, 3 Acts ; libretto by the composer based on the work of Alois JirásekKolébka, 3 Acts ; libretto by the composer based on the work of Alois JirásekEupyros, 3 Acts ; libretto by the composer
BalletHrátky na drátkách ; libretto by the composer
OrchestraKarneval podzimu, Op.82Portály a fresky brněnské
  • Symphony No.3 "Osudová" To je má zem, Cycle of Symphonic Poems for OrchestraVeseloherní předehra
BandPochod sportovců
ConcertanteAndante for Violin and Small OrchestraFantasie in C Minor for Viola and Orchestra, Op.44
ChamberElegie ztracených lidí for Cello and Piano Fantasie for violin and viola, Op.71 Invence for Viola Solo
PianoNokturna, Cycle of Moods, Op.36 Preludium, toccata a fuga, Op.37Sonáta-fantazie, Op.93
Organ
  • Allegro feroce
  • Passacaglia, Op.41
ChoralJá, potulný šumař, CantataJe krásná země má, Lyric Cantata for Chorus and Orchestra; text by F. Halas, A. SovaVe jménu života, Cantata for Chorus and Orchestra, Op.94
VocalMelancholické serenády o lásce for Voice and Piano, Op.62