Václav Nelhýbel (September 24, 1919 – March 22, 1996) was a Czech-American composer, mainly of works for student performers.
Life and career
He was born the youngest of five children in Polanka, Czechoslovakia. He received his early musical training in Prague, going to both Charles University in Prague and Prague Conservatory. In 1942 he went to Switzerland, where he studied at University of Fribourg; after 1947 he taught there. In 1957 he came to the United States, where he taught at several schools, including Lowell State College. He served as Composer-in-Residence at University of Scranton for several years until his death. The University Department of Performance Music continues to house his full collection of works.
Some of his music is for wind instruments or concert band, and most of his published music is designed for student performers. He used non-functional modal writing, pandiatonicism, and motor rhythms extensively.
Nelhybel received numerous prizes and awards for his compositions, which include a prize at the International Music and Dance Festival in Copenhagen, Denmark, for his ballet "In the Shadow of the Limetree". In 1954, he was also awarded the first prize of the Ravitch Foundation in New York for his opera "A Legend", and in 1978 he won an award from the Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts. Four American universities honored him with honorary doctoral degrees in music.
In addition to his works for winds, he wrote three ballets, three operas, and a symphony.
He was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Kappa Kappa Psi.
1964 Etude symphonique1966 Passacaglia for Orchestra and Solo Piano1967 Dies ultima for Orchestra, SATB Chorus, SATB Soli, Narrator, Speaking Chorus and Jazz Band1967 Music for Orchestra1968 Movement for Orchestra1972 A mighty fortress1973 Polyphonies1974 Aegean Modes1976 Finale1977 Concerto spirituoso No. 4 for Orchestra, String Quartet and Solo Voice1976 Slavonic Tryptich1979 Lincoln Scene1980 Six Fables for all time for Orchestra, SATB Chorus and Narrator1981 Overture for Orchestra1985 New Orleans ConcertoCantique des cantiques for Orchestra, Soprano Solo, Harp and PianoCantus Concertante for Orchestra, Violin, Viola, Cello Soli and Soprano SoloCanzona e Toccata feroceChristmas in Bohemia for Mixed Choir and OrchestraConcerto spirituoso No. 5 for Orchestra, Saxophone Quartet and String QuartetConcerto for Clarinet and OrchestraConcerto for Double Bass and OrchestraConcerto for Guitar and Chamber OrchestraConcerto for Trombone and OrchestraConcerto for Viola and OrchestraConcertino for Chamber Orchestra and PianoDivertimento for Brass Qunitet and OrchestraFantasia ConcertanteFantasy on America for Festival Orchestra, Solo Violin and Youth Solo SectionFour Australian Songs for Orchestra and (SA) ChorusFour readings from Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" for Orchestra (or Piano) and Male Solo VoiceGraffiti Pompeiani for Orchestra, SSATTBB Soli and PianoHouston ConcertoJesu meine FreudeKindermarchLet there be Music for Orchestra, SATB Chorus, Baritone Voice Solo, Piano, Bass Guitar and Electric GuitarMusic for Woodwind Quintet and OrchestraPraise the Lord for Orchestra, SATB Chorus, SATB Soli and PianoRhapsody for Saxophone and OrchestraRhapsody in D for Orchestra, String Quartet and PianoSine Nomine for SATB Chorus, SATB Soloists, Orchestra and BandSinfonie contra Plagam for Orchestra and SATB ChorusSinfonietta ConcertanteThree Modes for Orchestra for Orchestra and PianoTwo Movements for Chamber OrchestraConcert band
1965 Chorale1965 Symphonic Requiem for Band and Bass Baritone Solo1965 Trittico- Allegro maestoso
- Adagio
- Allegro marcato
1966 Adagio and Allegro1966 Andante and Toccata1966 Appassionato1966 Estampie for Band and antiphonal Brass Choir (2 Trumpets, 2 Trombones)1966 Prelude and Fugue1966 Symphonic Movement1967 Caucasian Passacaglia1967 Ceremonial Music for Field Band and antiphonal Trumpet1967 Suite Concertante1967 Three Revolutionary Marches1968 Festivo1969 Marcia Dorica1969 Suite from Bohemia1970 Two Symphonic Movements1970 Cantata Pacis SATB Chorus, SATB Soloists, Wind Ensemble, Piano-Celesta, Organ and Percussion1971 Yamaha Concerto1971 Hymn of Hope for Band and SATB Chorus1972 Alaska Scherzo1972 Antiphonale for Band, Brass Sextet (3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones)1972 High Plains1972 Introit for Band and Chimes Solo1973 Concert Piece for Band, Solo Wind Instrument (Alto or Tenor or Baritone Saxophone, or Trumpet, or Trombone, or Baritone, or Tuba)1973 Organum for Band and antiphonal Brass Choir (2 Trumpets, 2 Trombones)1974 Czech Suite1974 Dixie Parade1974 Halleluiah for Band and SATB Chorus1974 Russian Chant and Dance1975 Fugue to the Mountains1975 Praise to the Lord for Band and antiphonal Trumpets1976 Ballad1976 Ca Ira (Song of the French Revolution)1976 Corsican Litany1976 Crusaders1976 Dialogues for Band and Piano Solo1976 Evening Song1976 Fanfares (Smetana-Nelhybel)1976 Finale Based on When Johnny Comes Marching Home; Glory, Glory Hallelujah; and America1976 March in Counterpoint1976 March to nowhere1976 Parade1976 Processional1976 Religioso1976 Valse Nostalgique1977 Aegean Modes1977 Lyrical March1977 Yugoslav Dance1979 Amen1979 Ritual1980 Battle Hymn of the Republic for Band and SATB Chorus1981 Concerto Grosso for Band and Tubas Solo (2 or more Tubas)1981 He's got the whole World in his Hands for Band and SATB Chorus1981 Swing low, sweet Chariot for Band and SATB Chorus1982 Concertante1982 Fantasia Three interpretations of Prelude I from Johann Sebastian Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier1982 French Suite1982 Holiday in Germany1983 Born to die1983 Christmas in Poland1983 Great is thy Faithfulness (Runyan-Nelhybel) for Band and SATB Chorus1984 Agon1985 Overture for Band1988 Christmas March1988 Festove Adorations Based on A Mighty Fortress, Jesu Priceless Treasure, and Praise the Almighty1989 Cantus1992 Procession to the End of Time1995 Concertato forTenor Trombone, Bass Trombone and Wind Ensemble1996 Concerto for Euphonium and Band1996 Prelude and Chorale for Band and Solo Instrument - Based on the 12th century chorale Svaty Vaclave1996 Prayer and Thanksgiving1996 Songs of Praise Based on God of our Fathers; Holy, Holy, Holy; Onward Christian Soldiers1996 Star Spangled BannerAgape for Soloists, SATB Chorus and Wind EnsembleAgitato e MarciaAmen for Everyman for SATB Chorus, SB Soloists, Band, Jazz Ensemble and OrganAmerica sings for SATB Chorus and BandBenny HavensCanticum for Band and SATB ChorusCeremony for BandChorale VariationsChronos for Band, Guitar and Piano- Grave - Adagio
- Toccata feroce
Concerto for Bass Trombone and BandConcerto for Clarinet (or Saxophone), 25 Winds, PercussionConcerto for Horn (or Tuba), Piccolo, 2 Flutes, Oboe, English Horn, 2 Bassoons, 2 Clarinets, Harp, Double Bass, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Bells, ChimesCornerstone for a new Moon for SATB, Band, Piano and OrganDance of the dead SoulsDe Profundis Concerto for Trumpet and BandDivertimento for BandDrake SuiteEpitaphEspressivoFive and a half Songs for SATB Chorus, TB Soloists, 12 Woodwinds, 5 Brass, 2 Percussion and KeyboardGolden Concerto for Trumpet, 16 Winds and PercussionHymn of hope for (SATB) Chorus and BandJesu, Priceless Treasure (Bach-Nelhybel) for Band and SATB ChorusLa danse des fauves for Clarinet, Oboe/English Horn, Bassoon and BandLento for BandLiturgy for Band and Solo VoiceMonolithMusical Offering (Bach-Nelhybel) Based on three chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach: Jesu Priceless Treasure, Morning Star, Oh Sacred Head Now WoundedOstinatoPentecost Concerto for Clarinet and BandRhapsody in C for Band and Piano SoloSand-Silence-SolitudeSine Nomine for SATB Chorus, SATB Soloists, Orchestra and BandSinfonia ResurrectionisThe Silence for Band and Soprano SoloTe Deum SATB Chorus, SATB Soloists, Organ or 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba and TimpaniToccata (Cernohorsky-Nelhybel) for Band and Organ - An arrangement of a toccata by Bohuslav Matej Cernohorsky (1684–1742)Toccata feroce for Band and Piano SoloToccata in DToccata in D (Flat)Toccata in EVariations on "Es ist genug"Concerto No. 1 for Organ and Orchestra without WoodwindsConcerto No. 2 for Organ and Orchestra without WoodwindsConcerto No. 3 for Organ, Piccolo Trumpet and Timpani1966 Caroli Antiqui Varii SSATTBB Chorus - 7 traditional Christmas songs- Quem vidistis
- Lully lulla
- Qui creavit caelum
- Celebrons
- O Jesu Christ
- Es kommt ein Schiff geladen
- Puer natus in Bethlehem
1966 Epitaph for a Soldier SATB Chorus and SA Soloists - Text by Walt Whitman from Leaves of Grass1966 The Wife of Usher's well SATB Chorus1967 Four Ballads - (The Gallows -Tree) SSATBB Chorus and SBB Soloists1967 Four Ballads - (Come, O My Love) TBB Chorus1967 Four Ballads - (Peter Gray) SSA Chorus1967 Four Ballads - (The Devil and the Farmer's Wife) SSATBB Chorus1971 Let my People go SATB Chorus and SATB Soloists1972 The Lord shall raise me up SATB Chorus1973 Gift of Love SA Chorus1975 Estampie Natalis for eight-part mixed chorus, SAT soli, piccolo, violin (viola), cello, and percussion1977 Psalm 150 (Praise Him with the Timbrel) Four-Part Chorus of Mixed Voices1979 Adoratio 6 Sopranos, 5 Altos, 5 Tenors, 5 Basses (or larger Chorus) - Text from the Second Book of Solomon's Song of Songs1980 Orange and blue SATB Chorus1981 All through the Night SSA Chorus1981 Katy Cruel SSA ChorusBanana Three and other Songs SATB Chorus1954 A Legend1979 Everyman - based on a medieval balladKing Lear - Text: William Shakespeare's King LearThe StationThe Symphony Orchestra and Its Instruments (1959)Twelve-Tone Composition Prepared by Vaclav Nelhybel (1961)Forms in Instrumental Music: Prepared by Vaclav Nelhybel (1962)Modal Counterpoint in the Style of the 16th Century Prepared by Vaclav Nelhybel (1962)Music Arrangement: Prepared by Vaclav Nelhybel - Musical Examples Played by Chamber Orchestra (1962)Traditional Harmony Prepared by Vaclav Nelhybel (1962)The Fugue in the Style of the 18th Century (1964)Tonal Counterpoint in the Style of the 18th Century Prepared by Vaclav Nelhybel (1964)Outer Space: Music by Vaclav Nelybel (1974)