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The composer Oldrich Flosman studied composition at the Prague Conservatory under Karel Janecek (1944 -1946) and at the Academy of Arts and Music under Pavel Borkovec (1946-1950). He experienced the years of occupation and the happy atmosphere of life in liberated Czechoslovakia as a student and then was a direct participant in the revolutionary changes which decided the socialist orientation of Czechoslovakia. Flosman' s activity in song and dance ensembles was an expression of his social and political commitment. As a member of the Conservatory Ensemble and then the Vit Nejedly Army Artistic Ensemble, he adapted dozens and perhaps hundreds of folk, army, popular and revolutionary songs. He also mastered the technique of compositional work and learned perfect instrumentation. In 1960 he took over the leadership of the Army Artistic Ensemble and introduced many new elements to its sound, above all higher standards in the selection of works and in their rendition in all sections of the ensemble.
Since 1962 Oldrich Flosman devoted himself primarily to composition. Aside from this work, he took part in the activity of the Pragokoncert (Czechoslovak artistic agency), and in 1977 became director of the Copyright Union and held various posts in the Union of Czech Composers and Concert Artists.
Since the beginning of the fifties, Flosman's creation developed from the foundations laid down by both of his teachers; they disciplined his talent and impressed order on his compositional work, without limiting the temperamental immediacy of his nature. Creative discipline is a characteristic feature of Flosman's personality, as was exhibited already in the Girl Partisan dance scene of 1960, or in such later works of rigorous inner organization as Fugues for Piano of 1967, Fugues for Strings of 1970, the Visions of Michelangelo concertant composition for viola and orchestra of 1976 and, in particular, Symphony - Concerto for Piano and Orchestra of 1979. |