Marek Kopelent

Full biography Marek Kopelent

Marek Kopelent (1932-2023) was a prominent Czech composer, music editor, and academic teacher. He was considered to be at the forefront of the "New Music" movement in Czechoslovakia. He studied at the Prague Conservatory and later at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with Alois Hába, a prominent Czech composer and music theorist.

Kopelent's music is known for its avant-garde style, often incorporating unconventional musical elements such as microtones and non-traditional scales. He was a prolific composer, writing works for various instruments and ensembles, including chamber groups, orchestras, and choirs. Some of his well-known compositions include "Music for Strings" (1960), "Four Little Pieces" for piano (1963), and "Epitaph for Cello and Piano" (1969).

In addition to his work as a composer, Kopelent also served as an academic teacher, teaching at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He was also involved in music editing, serving as the editor of several music journals.

Throughout his career, Kopelent received numerous awards and accolades, including the State Prize for Music in 1969 and the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk in 1995. Despite his success, he faced some challenges due to his avant-garde style of music, and his work was officially not allowed to be performed in Czechoslovakia for a time.

Kopelent passed away on March 12, 2023, at the age of 90. His legacy as a leading figure in the Czech avant-garde music movement continues to be celebrated by musicians and music lovers around the world.