Dame’s Rocket

Dame’s Rocket by Rudolph Komorous

Dame’s Rocket, a new piece built on a ground plan of an older one, was written as an expression of my gratitiude to Arraymusic and its Artistic Director, Linda Catlin Smith. – Rudolf Komorous, 1991

Rudolf Komorous, born December 8, 1931, and educated in Prague, Czech Republic, emigrated to Canada in 1969. After teaching for two years at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, he joined in 1971 the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, and later became its Director. From 1989 he served as Director of the School for the Contemporary Arts, Simon Fraser University.
In 1957 he won first prize in the prestigious competition for solo performers, the Concours International d’Execution Musicale in Geneva, Switzerland. This led to a two-year term [1959-61] teaching bassoon in China at Beijing Academy and Central Conservatory of Music. Komorous’ involvement with the Czech avant-garde in the 1950s and ’60s led to a close association with painters, sculptors and writers. This circle, known as the “Smidra Group”, was influenced by Dada and surrealism. Their motto was the “aesthetic of the wonderful” through which common materials could be transformed into something sublime, mysterious or even magical.
In 1961 Komorous co-founded Musica Viva Pragensis, which was regarded as one of Europe’s leading new music ensembles during the eight years of its existence.
Komorous has an extensive catalogue of works for orchestra [5 sinfonies], solo instruments, voice and ensembles. He also worked in the electronic music field. His compositions have been featured at music festivals including the Venice Bienalle, Warsaw Autumn, Donaueschingen, and Prague Spring. His two operas were produced in Vancouver, Toronto, Victoria, Buffalo, New York City and Ostrava. 

This concert was produced by Arraymusic and co-presented with The Music Gallery.
Video by John Creson and Adam Rosen