Franz Simandl (August 1, 1840 – December 15, 1912) was a double-bassist and pedagogue from Austria-Hungary most remembered for his book New Method for String Bass , known as the "Simandl book", which is to this day used as a standard study of double bass technique and hand positions.
12-409: His approach uses the first, second, and fourth fingers of the left hand (the third and fourth operating together as one digit) to stop the strings in the lower register of the instrument and divide the fingerboard into various positions. The second volume of the method looks at the use of thumb position using the thumb, first, second and third fingers, to play solo, high register work and again dividing
24-512: A revision of the solo part, and it is this version that he frequently performed. Since that time, the original and the Kurz versions have been printed together in Otakar Šourek's critical edition of the score, one beneath the other, so that the soloist can choose which version to perform. The Kurz version has become a part of the standard piano repertoire. Dvořák's original orchestral material is not affected by
36-455: Is a public music school in Prague , Czech Republic, founded in 1808. Currently, the school offers four- or six-year courses, which can be compared to the level of a high school diploma in other countries. Graduates can continue their training by enrolling in an institution that offers undergraduate education . The Prague Conservatory was founded in 1808 by local aristocrats and burghers following
48-1154: The Prague Conservatory with Josef Hrabě [ cs ] before becoming the principal bassist in the Vienna Court Opera Orchestra . He was a Professor of double-bass at the Vienna Conservatory from 1869 to 1910. His pupils include many of the leading bassists of his time such as Ludwig Manoly , who moved to New York City to become principal bass of the New York Philharmonic and was an influential teacher. The Simandl "family tree" of bass pedagogues extends for many generations. Prominent bassist/educators who can trace their lineage directly back to Simandl include Adolf Mišek , Richard Davis , Mark Dresser , Joseph Guastafeste, Greg Sarchet , Gary Karr , Hermann Reinshagen , Karl E. H. Seigfried , Ludwig Streicher , Bertram Turetzky , and Frederick Zimmermann . Prague Conservatory The Prague Conservatory ( Czech : Pražská konzervatoř )
60-732: The example of the Conservatoire de Paris (est. 1795) and the Milan Conservatory (est. 1807). The founders are listed as František Josef of Vrtba, František Josef of Sternberg and Manderscheid, Jan Nepomuk Nostitz-Rieneck , Kristián Kryštof Clam-Gallas, Bedřich Nostitz, Karel of Firmian, Jan Josef Pachta of Rájov, and František Josef of Klebelsberg . In 1810, the Union for the Improvement of Music in Bohemia ( Jednota pro zvelebení hudby v Čechách )
72-461: The fingerboard up into a concept of positions. The second volume also delves extensively into the playing of harmonics. Simandl's "New Method" of playing, originally published in 1881, is still common among classical double bassists, although the book itself is slowly being replaced by newer methods which incorporate modern pedagogical theory. Modern adaptations of, extensions to, and challenges to Simandl doctrines are acknowledged. Simandl studied at
84-618: The independent Dance Conservatory was created in 2001. The Prague Conservatory offers instruction in several instruments, including accordion , guitar, piano, and organ , as well as in singing, composition, conducting , and acting. The institution has its own symphonic and chamber orchestras, a choir, and a theatre company. The conservatory's main campus is located at Na rejdišti 77/1, Prague 1 . It has two ancillary locations: one situated within Pálffyho Palace , in Prague's Malá Strana , and
96-1091: The other in Prague's Old Town . The following is a list of directors of the Prague Conservatory: Vil%C3%A9m Kurz Vilém Kurz (23 December 1872 – 25 May 1945) was a Czech pianist and renowned piano teacher. Kurz was born in Německý Brod , Bohemia in December 23, 1873. He became a professor at the State Conservatory in Lviv and Vienna , and Prague Conservatory . His students included his daughter Ilona Štěpánová-Kurzová , Rudolf Firkušný , Eduard Steuermann , Artur Rodziński , Břetislav Bakala , Pavel Štěpán , Stanislav Heller , František Maxián , Gidéon Klein , Rafael Schächter , Stefania Turkewich , Ilja Hurník , and Pavel Šivic . His teaching methods were largely based on those of Theodor Leschetizky and his pupils he met during
108-534: The school's director between 1901 and 1904. Dvořák's students included the composers Vítězslav Novák , Josef Suk (who later also served as director of the conservatory), Rudolf Friml , Oskar Nedbal , and Franz Lehár . Another director of the school was pianist Vilém Kurz . In 1945, a number of professors and students of higher classes at the conservatory left to found the Academy of Performing Arts . Theatre and ballet departments were also opened that year, from which
120-475: The soloist's choice. In 1919, Ilona Kurzová played the first performance of the Kurz version of the concerto, conducted by Václav Talich . This revision was later adopted and recorded by Rudolf Firkušný , who in the 1950s also introduced a few cuts to the first and third movements. In the 1970s he abandoned all revisions in favour of the original version by Dvořák. Supraphon , the Czech recording company, issued
132-479: The time he taught in Lviv . Later they were further developed by his daughter, Ilona Štěpánová-Kurzová. He died in Prague in May 25, 1945. Kurz is known for his reworking of the solo part of Antonín Dvořák 's Piano Concerto in G minor , Op. 33, which was originally composed in 1876. For more than a decade after the concerto's first performance, it suffered from neglect and critical disdain. In his 20s, Kurz undertook
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#1732851965103144-468: Was formed, which ensured the financial operation of the school for the next hundred years. Classes started in 1811, after a delay caused by the Napoleonic Wars . Bedřich Diviš Weber was appointed the first director of the school, which was originally located in the monastery next to St. Giles' Church . In 1891, Antonín Dvořák joined the faculty as head of the composition department and served as
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