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Viktor Kalabis (1923–2006) was a Czech composer.
Born in ÄŒervený Kostelec, a town in the Czech Republic, on February 27, 1923, Kalabis was an important 20th century Czech composer. Viktor was interested in music from a young age, but due to the Nazi occupation of Prague during the Second World War, he was unable to study music in Prague. After the end of the war, Kalabis studied at the Prague Conservatory and at the Academy of Music and Charles University. In 1952, Kalabis married Zuzana RůžiÄková, who became a famous harpsichord player. They both refused to join the Communist party, making the beginning of their music careers difficult. Eventually, Viktor got work in the children's music section at Prague Radio. It was in this post that he established the now internationally known Concertino Praga competition for young musicians.
He truly established himself as an international composer when in 1957, Manuel Rosenthal performed Kalabis' Concert for violoncello op. 8 at the Orchestera de Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. Many of his works were commissioned, for example, by the Czech Philharmony, the Dresden Philharmony, Camerata Zurich, Josef Suk, The Suk Trio, János Starker, Maurice André, The Prague Spring Festival and many others. His composition Sinfonia pacis is one of the world's most-played Czech contemporary music compositions.
Although most of the works of Viktor Kalabis are symphonic, concertante or chamber compositions, his vocal works such as the cantata Canticum Canticorum, the chamber cantata Vojna (The War), song cycles and choruses are of a similar high standard. For stage he was written the Fable for chamber orchestra and the two-part ballet score Two Worlds, inspired by Lewis Carroll's book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Eventually, Kalabis became President of the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation. Here he established the Bohuslav Martinů Institute for studies and information, launched the Martinů Festival and competition, and created a dynamic base from which Bohuslav Martinů's work has become far better known.
Kalabis died on September 28, 2006. The Viktor Kalabis & Zuzana RůžiÄková Foundation was established in his memory. RůžiÄková is the President of the Board of Directors for the Foundation and is dedicated to promoting Kalabis' music throughout the world.
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