Arti musices, Vol. 55 No. 1, 2024.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.21857/m8vqrt38l9
Music in the Family of Antun Gustav Matoš
Martina Mičija Palić
; Učiteljski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Following the celebration, over two consecutive years, of the 150th anniversary of the birth and the 110th anniversary of the death of one of the most eminent Croatian writers – Antun Gustav Matoš – the topic of his contribution has become more frequent in scientific research, which seeks to achieve so-called »new readings« that valorise and consider his life and legacy from a new point of view. Starting from one quotation from a dispute with the music critic Josip Canić about the musical competencies gained at the »musical house« of the Matoš family, this paper explores the importance and presence of music in the family of Antun Gustav Matoš. The diachronic presentation of the Matoš’s family tree will display the musical activities of individual family members, in both professional and amateur contexts. The most significant sources in achieving the principal goal of this research are the literary legacy of Antun Gustav, relevant scientific and professional literature as well as primary archival material, whose interpretation will show the musical activities of grandfather Grgur, father August, Antun Gustav himself, his sister Danica, brother Leon and other members of the Matoš family. Starting from the presentation of the musical activity of grandfather Grgur, who, like father August, was a teacher and organist, we will point out that the latter, in addition to his primary activity at the Royal Men’s Teacher’s School, was the organist and cantor of St. Mark’s church in Zagreb for almost thirty-five years, and was involved in musical events in Zagreb, for example as a supporter of the Croatian Music Institute, a member of the Cecilian Society, and a teacher who affirmed the art of music among his colleagues. Such musical initiatives manifested even more strongly in the third generation of the Matoš family – with Antun Gustav, Danica and Leon, for whom music considerably marked their life path. The oldest among them called himself an »old cellist and former music expert«, but after eighteen years of performing activity he could no longer play the cello due to illness. Nevertheless, he intensively wrote about music from 1895 until 1913. Danica Matoš is a rare phenomenon in our musical history because her musical career amalgamates the singing, pianistic and pedagogical aspects. Her intensive concert activity accomplished in the capitals of Europe, along with her pedagogical career in Riga and Zagreb, placed her among our most successful music performers in the first half of the twentieth century. Finally, the figure of brother Leon, whose range of musical interests were similar to those of Antun Gustav, is proof of the inherited trait of the innate sense of music which is perceivable in the majority of the members of Matoš family, and which had the strongest presentation in this generation.
Keywords
music; Matoš family; cellist; piano pedagogue; opera singer; organist; violinist; Antun Gustav Matoš; Danica Matoš; Leon Matoš; August Matoš; Grgur Matoš
Hrčak ID:
319645
URI
Publication date:
22.7.2024.
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