Josef Bohuslav Foerster

Short bio Josef Bohuslav Foerster

Birthday: 1859

Died: 1951

Active: 1890s - 1930s

Genre: Classical

Period: 20th Century, Post-Romantic, Romantic

Full biography Josef Bohuslav Foerster

Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859-1951) was a Czech composer , musicologist, pedagogue, and writer. He is considered one of the leading Czech composers of his generation , alongside Leo Janek and Josef Suk. His father, Josef Foerster, was a renowned bandmaster in Prague, which exposed young Josef to the world of music from an early age.

Foerster received his earliest training from his father, and later studied at the Prague Organ School and the Prague Conservatory. He went on to become the successor to Antonin Dvorak and the organist at the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, and he was also a lifelong friend of Gustav Mahler. Foerster's compositions were heavily influenced by German Romanticism, and his works often exhibited a rich and complex harmonic language.

Foerster's output includes operas, symphonies, chamber music, choral works, and songs. His most famous works include his Symphony No. 1, Festive Overture, and Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. Foerster's music is known for its emotional depth, stirring melodies, and complex orchestration. His music also often featured elements of Czech folklore and national identity.

Aside from his work as a composer, Foerster was also a respected musicologist and pedagogue. He taught at the Prague Conservatory and wrote extensively about music history and theory. His wife, Natalie Klaviter Foerster, was also a respected composer and pianist, and the couple often collaborated on musical projects.

In conclusion, Josef Bohuslav Foerster was an important figure in Czech music, whose works continue to be beloved and performed today. With his complex harmonies, emotional depth, and strong connections to his national identity, Foerster's music stands as a testament to the rich and diverse musical traditions of the Czech Republic.

Compositions featuring Josef Bohuslav Foerster

#	Name	Duration	Genre	Year
1	String Quartet No. 5 in G major, sine op. ("The Vestec")	16:16 min	Chamber Music	1951
2	String Quartet No. 4 in F major, Op. 182	22:10 min	Chamber Music	1944
3	Vzpomínka z mládí (Memories of Youth), for piano	2:38 min	Keyboard	1942
4	Ukolébavka (Lullaby), for piano	2:05 min	Keyboard	1942
5	The Prayer, for string quartet, sine op.	8:10 min	Chamber Music	1940
6	Notturno, for contralto voice, cello & piano, Op. 163/1	4:17 min	Vocal Music	1939
7	Pochod Mladé národní jednoty (March for the National Youth Front), for piano	3:50 min	Keyboard	1939
8	Mesícná noc, for contralto voice, cello & piano (Moonlit night), Op. 163/2	2:17 min	Vocal Music	1939
9	Den, tri kalvínirí skladby pro mladé piansty (The Day - Three pieces for young pianists), for piano, Op. 153b	6:51 min	Keyboard	1939
10	Songs (6) to the Words of A.S. Pushkin, Op. 161	9:17 min	Vocal Music	1937
11	Melodie for cello & piano	3:28 min	Chamber Music	1934
12	Cello Concerto, Op. 143	20:17 min	Concerto	1931
13	Pozdrav panu presidentu T.G. Masarykovi k 80tim narozeninám (Greetings to President T.G. Masaryk on his 80th birthday), for piano	1:01 min	Keyboard	1930
14	Dve skladby pro kalvír levou rukou (Two pieces for the left hand), Op. 142	8:57 min	Keyboard	1930
15	Impromptu for organ, Op. 135	7:53 min	Keyboard	1927
16	Crty úhel (Charcoal Sketches), for piano, Op. 136	10:38 min	Keyboard	1927
17	Osenická suita (Osenice Suite), for piano, Op. 129	19:58 min	Keyboard	1926
18	Sonata for cello & piano No. 2 in C minor, Op. 130	16:57 min	Chamber Music	1926
19	Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 54 ("Easter Eve")	44:38 min	Symphony	1924
20	Jicínská Suita (Jicín Suite), for piano, Op. 124	22:03 min	Keyboard	1923
21	Glagolitic Mass, for chorus & organ, Op. 123	18:25 min	Choral	1923
22	Piano Trio No. 3 in A minor, Op. 105	24:13 min	Chamber Music	1919
23	Milostné písné (Love songs), for voice & piano (or orchestra), Op. 96	11:32 min	Vocal Music	1914
24	Erotovy masky (The Masks of Eros), for piano, Op. 98	18:21 min	Keyboard	1912
25	Violin Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 88	31:16 min	Concerto	1911
26	Petites esquisses, for piano	2:24 min	Keyboard	1908
27	Imprese (Impressions), for piano, Op. 73	15:35 min	Keyboard	1908
28	String Quartet No. 3 in C major, Op. 61	15:35 min	Chamber Music	1907
29	Esquisses de danse, for piano, Op. 48	11:31 min	Keyboard	1906
30	A jablone kvetly (And the apple trees blossomed), for piano, Op. 52	15:33 min	Keyboard	1905
31	Hudba Vecera (Evening Husic), for piano, Op. 79	8:15 min	Keyboard	1904
32	Ruze Vzpomínky (Roses of Remembrance), for piano, Op. 49	20:58 min	Keyboard	1902
33	Erinnerung, for string quartet & harp, sine op.	2:13 min	Chamber Music	1901
34	Sonata for cello & piano No. 1 in F minor, Op. 45	20:41 min	Chamber Music	1898
35	Cyrano de Bergerac, suite for large orchestra, Op.55	37:46 min	Orchestral	1898
36	Fantasy for organ in C major, Op 14	9:13 min	Keyboard	1896
37	Lieder der Dämmerung (Songs of Twilight), for voice & piano, Op. 42	9:19 min	Vocal Music	1896
38	Eva, opera	83:22 min	Opera	1895
39	Erotikon, for voice & piano, Op. 23	7:33 min	Vocal Music	1895
40	Piano Trio No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 38	23:06 min	Chamber Music	1894
41	Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 36	38:40 min	Symphony	1894
42	Allegro giocoso, for string quartet, sine op.	6:40 min	Chamber Music	1894
43	String Quartet No. 2 in D major, Op. 39	28:27 min	Chamber Music	1893
44	Symphony No. 2 in F major, Op. 29	44:45 min	Symphony	1892
45	Allegretto capriccioso, for piano	4:09 min	Keyboard	1892
46	Moment musicale, for piano	2:11 min	Keyboard	1892
47	Melodie, for piano	2:49 min	Keyboard	1892
48	Stabat mater, for mixed chorus & organ, Op. 56	18:41 min	Choral	1891
49	Listy z mého deníku (Pages from my Diary), for piano, Op. 18b	11:39 min	Keyboard	1890
50	String Quartet No. 1 in E major, Op. 15	26:40 min	Chamber Music	1888
51	Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 9	28:52 min	Symphony	1887
52	Jarní Nálady (Spring Moods), for piano, Op. 4	7:03 min	Keyboard	1887
53	String Quintet, for two violins, viola, cello & double bass, Op. 3	6:04 min	Chamber Music	1886
54	Miniatury pro kalvír (Miniatures for piano), for piano, Op. 17	7:51 min	Keyboard	1885
55	Allegro & Scherzo, for piano, Op. 5	8:05 min	Keyboard	1885
56	Piano Trio No. 1 in F minor, Op. 8	28:24 min	Chamber Music	1882
57	Preludes (3) from the collection "A Catholic organist"		Keyboard	18??
58	An die Laute, for voice & piano, Op.60/1	2:18 min	Vocal Music	-
59	Elegy for solo violin	3:03 min	Chamber Music	-
60	Deborah, opera, Op. 41		Opera	-
61	Czech Song, Op. 30	3:56 min	Vocal Music	-
62	Symphony No. 5, Op. 141	44:16 min	Orchestral	-
63	Tabitha	3:17 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
64	Ballad for violin & piano, Op.92	8:13 min	Chamber Music	-
65	Bagattella, for piano	1:19 min	Keyboard	-
66	Zuckerpuppe tanzt, for piano	1:15 min	Keyboard	-
67	Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 104	33:48 min	Concerto	-
68	Vsecky smutky pominou (All sadness passes), for contralto voice, cello & piano, Op. 163/3	2:31 min	Vocal Music	-
69	Wiegenlied, for piano	1:06 min	Keyboard	-
70	Wind Quintet, Op. 95	20:08 min	Chamber Music	-
71	Zbiroh Suite, for viola & piano, Op.167	10:31 min	Chamber Music	-
72	Skladby pro mého synácka (Music for my young son), for piano, Op. 72	13:38 min	Keyboard	-
73	Meine Jugend (My Youth), symphonic poem, Op. 44	15:53 min	Orchestral	-
74	Fairy Tale of a Long Craving, for voice & piano, Op. 101	35:59 min	Vocal Music	-
75	Fantasia for violin & piano, Op.128	14:38 min	Chamber Music	-
76	Festive Overture, for orchestra, Op. 70	9:32 min	Orchestral	-
77	From Shakespeare, suite for orchestra, Op. 76	26:39 min	Orchestral	-
78	Prinzessin Gänseblümchen, suite for violin & piano, Op. 35	18:20 min	Chamber Music	-
79	In den Bergen, for orchestra, Op. 7	23:51 min	Orchestral	-
80	Springtime and Desire, symphonic poem, Op 93	18:26 min	Orchestral	-
81	Songs (9) for male chorus, Op.37		Choral	-
82	Songs (3) for voice & piano, Op. 181	10:07 min	Vocal Music	-
83	Get Up Sleeper, cycle of mixed choruses, Op.112		Choral	-
84	Sonata Quasi Fantasia, for violin & piano, Op. 177	23:07 min	Chamber Music	-
85	Sonata for violin & piano in B minor, Op.10	16:08 min	Chamber Music	-
86	Impromptu No. 1 for violin & piano, Op. 154/1	6:31 min	Chamber Music	-
87	Impromptu No. 2 for violin & piano, Op. 154/2	3:47 min	Chamber Music	-
88	Snení (Dreaming), for piano, Op. 47	18:11 min	Keyboard	-

Albums featuring Josef Bohuslav Foerster

#	Name album	Year	Music label
1	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra, Hermann Bäumer – Symphonies No. 1-5 / Suite Op. 7 In Den Bergen(3×CD, )	2022	Musikproduktion Dabringhaus Und Grimm
2	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Marek Štilec – Symphony No. 1 • From Shakespeare(CD, Album)	2022	Naxos
3	Foerster, Janáček, Haas, Belfiato Quintet – Music For Wind Instruments(CD, Album)	2017	Supraphon
4	Kantáta 1945(File, MP3, Remastered)	2014	Radioservis
5	Suk • Foerster • Fibich – České Mše / Czech Masses(CD, Compilation)	2013	ArcoDiva
6	Foerster, Patricia Goodson – Dreams, Memories And Impressions: Complete Solo Piano Music(4×CD, )	2013	Brilliant Classics
7	Josef Bohuslav Foerster — Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra, Hermann Bäumer – Symphony No. 5 & In Den Bergen Op. 7(CD, )	2010	MDG
8	Foerster, Bonifantes Boy's Choir, Bonifantes Men's Choir, Jan Míšek – Male Choruses(CD, Album)	2009	Vixen
9	Martinů . Foerster . Novák - Jiří Bárta, Prague Philharmonia, Jakub Hrůša – Cello Concertos(CD, Album)	2009	Supraphon
10	Foerster, Ivan Ženatý, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Jiří Bělohlávek – Violin Concertos(CD, Album)	2008	Supraphon
11	Josef Bohuslav Foerster — Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra, Hermann Bäumer – Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2(CD, )	2008	MDG
12	Josef Bohuslav Foerster / Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Lance Friedel – Symphony No. 4, 'Easter Eve' • Festive Overture • Meine Jugend	2006	Naxos
13	Foerster / Foerstrovo Trio – Complete Piano Trios(CD, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo)	2002	Supraphon
14	ライヒャ / フエルステル / ドヴォルザーク \| アフラートゥス・クインテット – アフラートゥスデビュー!!(CD, HDCD, Album)	2000	Exton (2)
15	Sbory A Kantáty / Choruses And Cantatas(CD, Album)	1999	Multisonic
16	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Ivan Ženatý, Josef Hála – Czech Violin Sonatas(CD, Stereo)	1999	Český Rozhlas 3 Vltava
17	Dvořák, Janáček, Foerster, Martinů - Jan Hora – Complete Organ Works(CD, Album)	1997	Vixen
18	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Gerd Albrecht – Konzert Fur Violine Und Orchester / Cyrano De Bergerac(CD, Album, Stereo)	1997	Orfeo (2)
19	Foerster, Dvořák, Suk – Classical Czech Choruses(CD, Compilation)	1996	Supraphon
20	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Rafael Kubelik – Symphony No.4 In C Minor, Op.54 " Easter Eve"(CD, Album, Mono)	1995	Supraphon
21	Foerster, The Prague Symphony Orchestra, Václav Smetáček – Ze Shakespeara / Jaro A Touha	1986	Supraphon
22	V. Kalabis, J. B. Foerster – Koncerty Pro Housle A Orchestr(LP, Stereo)	1985	panton
23	Foerster, Eva Děpoltová, Anna Barová, Leo Marian Vodička, Jaroslav Souček, Prague Radio Chorus, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, František Vajnar – Eva: Opera In Three Acts, Op.50	1984	Supraphon
24	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Ladislav Vycpálek, Jaroslav Jeremiáš, Otakar Jeremiáš – Český Melodram 3	1981	Supraphon
25	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Foerstrovo Trio – Klavirni Tria : F Moll Op. 8 / B Dur Op. 38(LP)	1979	Supraphon
26	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Václav Smetáček – Cyrano De Bergerac, Suite For Large Orchestra, Op. 55	1979	Supraphon
27	Marcela Machotková, Smetana, Dvořák, Foerster, Čajkovskij, Verdi, Puccini – Marcela Machotková(LP, Stereo)	1978	Panton
28	Novak, Nedbal, Foerster, Janáček – Houslové Sonáty(2×LP, Album, Stereo)	1978	Supraphon
29	Smíšené Sbory(LP, Album, Repress, Stereo)	1977	Supraphon
30	Bedřich Smetana / Antonín Dvořák / Josef Bohuslav Foerster – Česká Klasická Kantáta (Česká Píseň / Dědicové Bílé Hory / Máj)(LP, Album, Stereo)	1975	Supraphon
31	Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Josef Bohuslav Foerster – Choruses, Czech Classic Cantatas(2×LP, Stereo)	1973	Supraphon
32	Janáček, Krejči, Foerster – Tschechische Bläsermusik(LP, Album, Quadraphonic)	1973	MPS Records
33	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Jan Hanuš – Klavírní Tria(LP, Album, Mono)	1971	Supraphon
34	Josef Bohuslav Foerster - Prague Symphony Orchestra, Václav Smetáček – Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 54 ("Easter")	1969	Nonesuch
35	J. B. Foerster, Otakar Jeremiáš, Otakar Zich, Otakar Ostrčil, Symfonický Orchestr Čs. Rozhlasu – Melodramy Na Verše Jana Nerudy	1962	Supraphon
36	Josef Bohuslav Foerster, Milada Šubrtová, Beno Blachut, Václav Bednář, Orchestr Národního Divadla V Praze – Eva	1960	Supraphon
37	Chausson, Foerster, Igor Bezrodny – Poeme For Violin And Orchestra / Violin Concerto In C Major, Op. 88(LP, Mono)	1957	Westminster
38	В. Форстер - Игорь Безродный – Концерт Для Скрипки С Оркестром, Соч. 88	1955	Апрелевский Завод
39	Josef Bohuslav Foerster - Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra, Hermann Bäumer – Symphonies No. 3 & 4(CD, )	-	MDG
40	Libuše Domanínská / Beno Blachut - Josef Bohuslav Foerster / Otakar Jeremiáš – Čisté Jitro / Láska(LP, Mono)	-	Supraphon