Lubor Bárta

Lubor Bárta (August 8, 1928 in Lubná near Litomyšl – November 5, 1972 in Prague) was a Czech composer. Bárta studied musicology and aesthetics from 1946 to 1948 at Charles University in Prague and was a pupil of Jaroslav Řídký at the Academy of Performing Arts until 1952. While he was still a student he composed his first chamber works: Piano Variations, Three Polka Studies, Violin Sonata, Divertimento for Wind Quintet and String Quartet. His early compositions were influenced by Stravinsky and Bartók, but he gradually came into his own compositional style, especially apparent in his instrumental works. From 1952 to 1955 he was an artistic leader of the ensemble Proud. He subsequently lived as a teacher and freelance composer in Prague. Bartá died at the young age of forty-four. He composed three symphonies, concerti, string quartets, piano pieces, sonatas and other chamber music.