Robert Kurka

Short bio Robert Kurka

Birthday: 1921 in Illinois

Died: 1957 in New York, NY

Active: 1950s

Genre: Classical,Avant-Garde

Period: Modern

Full biography Robert Kurka

Robert Kurka was an American composer who was active in the mid-twentieth century. He was born on December 22, 1921, and passed away on December 12, 1957, at the young age of 35 due to leukemia. Despite his short career, Kurka left a significant mark on the world of classical music.

Kurka is best known for his composition "The Good Soldier Schweik," which is based on the anti-war novel of the same name by Czech writer Jaroslav Hasek. The work is a satirical opera that premiered in 1958 , and it has remained popular in the classical music world for decades.

In addition to "The Good Soldier Schweik," Kurka also wrote two symphonies, five string quartets, and many other works for orchestral and chamber ensembles. His music is known for its bold and innovative style, which blends traditional classical forms with modernist elements.

Despite his success, Kurka's career was tragically cut short by his illness. Nevertheless, his contributions to the world of classical music continue to be celebrated today, and his music remains popular among musicians and audiences alike.

Compositions featuring Robert Kurka

#	Name	Duration	Genre	Year
1	The Good Soldier Schweik, suite from the opera	18:52 min	Orchestral	1957
2	Julius Caesar, symphonic epilogue after Shakespeare, for orchestra, Op. 28	8:32 min	Orchestral	1955
3	Serenade for small orchestra, Op. 25	19:44 min	Orchestral	1954
4	Symphony No. 2, Op. 24	20:35 min	Symphony	1953
5	Music for orchestra, Op. 11	13:50 min	Orchestral	1949
6	The Good Soldier Schweik, opera	103:37 min	Opera	-

Albums featuring Robert Kurka

#	Name album	Year	Music label
1	Robert Kurka / Grant Park Orchestra, Carlos Kalmar – Symphonic Works(CD, Album)	2004	Cedille Records
2	Nikolai Lopatnikoff, Robert Helps, Virgil Thomson, Robert Kurka, Albany Symphony Orchestra, David Alan Miller – Festival Overture, Piano Concerto No. 2, Filling Station, Symphony No. 2(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album)	2003	Albany Records
3	Robert Kurka – Chicago Opera Theater – The Good Soldier Schweik(2×CD, Album)	2002	Cedille Records
4	Druckman, Wilson, Kurka, Diamond – Cincinnati College-Conservatory Of Music Wind Symphony, Eugene Migliaro Corporon – Made In America(CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered)	2002	Klavier Records
5	Robert Kurka, Peter Mennin, Walter Piston, The Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester, Robert Whitney, Jano Starker – Orchestral Works (American Archives Series)(CD, Album)	1998	Albany Records
6	Hindemith, Kurka, Korngold – Berlin Theater Music	1995	Vox Allegretto
7	Kurka, Milhaud, Weill, Andrew Schenck, The Atlantic Sinfonietta – The Good Soldier Schweik(CD, Album)	1991	Koch International Classics
8	Robert Kurka, Peter Mennin, Walter Piston, The Louisville Orchestra, Jorge Mester, Robert Whitney, Jano Starker – Orchestral Works (American Archives Series)(CD, Album, Stereo)	1991	Albany Records
9	University Of Wisconsin Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band, Eugene Corporon, Ives, Kurka, Milhaud & Reeves – Variations On The American Themes(LP, Album, Stereo)	1979	Sound 80
10	Kurt Weill, Robert Kurka, Siegfried Landau, Music For Westchester Symphony Orchestra – Three Penny Opera Music (Kleine Dreigroschenmusik) / The Good Soldier Schweik(LP, Album)	1975	Candide
11	Hale Smith / Gardner Read / Robert Kurka, The Louisville Orchestra, Robert Whitney – Contours For Orchestra / Night Flight / Serenade For Small Orchestra	1963	First Edition Records
12	Robert Kurka, The Louisville Orchestra, Robert Whitney – Robert Kurka: Symphony No. 2; Robert Whitney: Concertino	1961	First Edition Records
13	Robert Kurka / Carlos Surinach – The Louisville Orchestra, Robert Whitney – Suite From “The Good Soldier Schweik” / Symphonic Variations(LP, Reissue, Stereo)	-	First Edition Records