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Franciszek Zachara (''b''
Tarnów Tarnów () is a city in southeastern Poland with 105,922 inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of 269,000 inhabitants. The city is situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is a major rail junction, located on the strategic east– ...
, Austrian Poland (now
Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
), 10 December 1898; ''d'' Tallahassee,
Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
,
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, 2 February 1966) was a Polish pianist and composer who concertized extensively throughout Europe in the years leading up to 1928. He was a professor of piano at a Polish conservatory from 1922–1928, and two American colleges from around this time until his death in 1966. Zachara composed well over 150 works, including many works for piano solo, a piano concerto, a symphony, several works for band, and various chamber pieces. The archive of his manuscripts is held at th
Warren D. Allen Music Library
at
Florida State University Florida State University (FSU or Florida State) is a Public university, public research university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preeminent university in the s ...
. Most of these manuscripts are originals (or copies) from the composer's own hand.


Biography

Franciszek Zachara was born in
Tarnów Tarnów () is a city in southeastern Poland with 105,922 inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of 269,000 inhabitants. The city is situated in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is a major rail junction, located on the strategic east– ...
, Austrian Poland to parents Ludwig and Maria (Kapłańska) Zachara on December 10, 1898. He was educated in the State Gymnasium in
Warsaw Warsaw, officially the Capital City of Warsaw, is the capital and List of cities and towns in Poland, largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the Vistula, River Vistula in east-central Poland. Its population is officially estimated at ...
, and graduated from the Imperial Conservatory in
Saratov Saratov ( , ; , ) is the largest types of inhabited localities in Russia, city and administrative center of Saratov Oblast, Russia, and a major port on the Volga River. Saratov had a population of 901,361, making it the List of cities and tow ...
(Russian: Сара́тов) in 1919. He then attended the Imperial Conservatory in St. Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, then known as Petrograd), studying piano with Alexander Dubassoff, and graduated in 1921. From 1922 to 1928 he was professor of piano at the
Silesia Silesia (see names #Etymology, below) is a historical region of Central Europe that lies mostly within Poland, with small parts in the Czech Silesia, Czech Republic and Germany. Its area is approximately , and the population is estimated at 8, ...
State Conservatory in
Katowice Katowice (, ) is the capital city of the Silesian Voivodeship in southern Poland and the central city of the Katowice urban area. As of 2021, Katowice has an official population of 286,960, and a resident population estimate of around 315,000. K ...
, Poland. On November 18, 1928 Zachara gave his American debut in New York's Town Hall. He played an extensive program of works by J.S. Bach,
Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is one of the most revered figures in the history of Western music; his works rank among the most performed of the classical music repertoire ...
, Chopin,
Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. Despite his short life, his rapid pace of composition and proficiency from an early age ...
, Scarlatti-Tausig, Scriabin,
Debussy Achille Claude Debussy (; 22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionism in music, Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most influe ...
,
Liszt Franz Liszt (22 October 1811 – 31 July 1886) was a Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, conductor and teacher of the Romantic period. With a diverse body of work spanning more than six decades, he is considered to be one of the most pro ...
, and a piece of his own. The recital was reviewed enthusiastically by ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'', The ''
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'', and ''The New York Herald-Tribune''. After this performance, he began a year-long concert tour of the United States, and became Professor of Piano (and later Dean of Music) at Brenau College (now
Brenau University Brenau University is a private university in Gainesville, Georgia. Founded in 1878, the university enrolls more than 2,800 students from approximately 48 states and 17 foreign countries who seek degrees ranging from associate through doctoral ...
) in Gainesville,
Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...
(USA), where he remained until 1946. During this time he married Patty Haralson, took up marksmanship, and won many medals in this new hobby. He is quoted:
I began shooting as a sport or hobby after America entered the war, in 1942. At that time I was living in Gainesville, Georgia. … The National Guard was offering a course in marksmanship to civilians who wished to take part. I thought that every American man should become proficient with firearms since we were fighting for our existence; so I registered for the course (''Florida Wildlife'', 37).
In 1946, Zachara became a U.S. citizen, and relocated to New York for a short period. In 1948 he became Associate Professor of Piano at Florida State University, where composer and pianist
Ernő Dohnányi Ernő or Erno is a Finnish language, Finnish and Hungarian language, Hungarian masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Ernő Balogh (1897-1989), Hungarian pianist, composer, editor, and educator *Ernő Bánk (1883-1962), Hunga ...
had also just started teaching. On February 25, 1952, the American premiere of Zachara's ''Piano Concerto in E Major (op. 30)'' was performed by the State Symphony of Florida, with the composer as soloist and Dohnányi conducting. Becoming a full professor in 1955, Zachara continued composing, performing, and teaching at the School (now College) of Music at
Florida State University Florida State University (FSU or Florida State) is a Public university, public research university in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and a preeminent university in the s ...
until he was hospitalized on January 21, 1966 suffering a heart attack. He died less than two weeks later, on February 2, in a Tallahassee hospital. (Tallahassee Democrat, 1966). He was survived by his widow Patty and a nephew Stanley. They had no children. Zachara was a member of several organizations, including the Florida Composers League, the Florida State Music Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association, the Kiwanis Club, the Manhattan Chess Club, the
National Rifle Association The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a gun rights advocacy group based in the United States. Founded in 1871 to advance rifle marksmanship, the modern NRA has become a prominent Gun politics in the United States, gun rights ...
, the Tallahassee Rifle and Pistol Club (president), Pi Kappa Lambda, the
International Who's Who in Music The ''International Who's Who in Music'' is a biographical dictionary and directory originally published by the International Biographical Centre located in Cambridge, England. It contains only biographies of persons living at the time of publicat ...
, and the
American Association of University Professors The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is an organization of professors and other academics in the United States that was founded in 1915 in New York City and is currently headquartered in Washington, D.C. AAUP membership inc ...
.


Zachara's music and publications

Zachara composed well over 150 works, including many works for
piano solo The piano is often used to provide harmonic accompaniment to a voice or other instrument. However, solo Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canoni ...
, a
piano concerto A piano concerto, a type of concerto, is a solo composition in the classical music genre which is composed for piano accompanied by an orchestra or other large ensemble. Piano concertos are typically virtuosic showpieces which require an advance ...
, a
symphony A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, most often for orchestra. Although the term has had many meanings from its origins in the ancient Greek era, by the late 18th century the word had taken on the meaning c ...
, several works for band, and various chamber pieces. Many of these works were dedicated to his friends and colleagues over the years. Zachara's music is mostly written in a Romantic vein, and most of his piano music follows in the footsteps of his countryman,
Frédéric Chopin Frédéric François Chopin (born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin; 1 March 181017 October 1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic period who wrote primarily for Piano solo, solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown ...
(1810-1849). Zachara was an expert in the music of Chopin, and it is said that he had all of Chopin's music memorized. He occasionally did transcriptions of the music of other composers, including Chopin, Liszt, Strauss, and others. Partial scores of transcriptions exist of Chopin's 'Butterfly' Etude (Op. 25 No. 9) for piano solo, and two-piano versions of Chopin's Etude Op. 25 No. 9, and 'Minute Waltz' (Op. 64 No. 1). Zachara had used his own opus numbering system earlier in his career, extending at least to his piano sonatas (opus numbers 80 and 81) but this system seems to have been abandoned by the early 1950s. The list of works below reflects original opus numbers assigned by Zachara. A new system of assigning notation to all of Zachara's works, whether completely or partially existing, is currently being created (2008). Zachara's works for
piano solo The piano is often used to provide harmonic accompaniment to a voice or other instrument. However, solo Solo or SOLO may refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Han Solo, a ''Star Wars'' character * Jacen Solo, a Jedi in the non-canoni ...
largely reflect models used by J.S. Bach and Chopin. Zachara wrote many preludes, fugues, etudes, and
waltzes The waltz ( , meaning "to roll or revolve") is a ballroom dance, ballroom and folk dance, in triple (3/4 time, time), performed primarily in closed position. Along with the ländler and allemande, the waltz was sometimes referred to by the ...
, often arranging them in collections of 12, 24, or 48. Though some of these collections no longer exist in their entirety, it seems Zachara was aiming to create collections which would give examples in all major and minor keys. An extensive collection titled ''New Well-Tempered Clavicord for the Piano'' is clearly taken from the Bach model, consisting of 24 sets of preludes and fugues in all major and minor keys, with an additional 25th prelude and fugue (on a theme from Dohnányi) added at the end. Zachara seems to have composed at least three
piano sonata A piano sonata is a sonata written for a solo piano. Piano sonatas are usually written in three or four movements, although some piano sonatas have been written with a single movement (Liszt, Scriabin, Medtner, Berg), others with two movemen ...
s, but only partial scores exist for these works (opus numbers 75, 80, and 81). Zachara wrote many chamber works for a variety of instruments. His best-known chamber piece (and possibly the most successful of all his works) is the ''Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 1 (op. 72). '' This work was published by Leblanc Publications in 1964, and is still available today (2007), published by Southern Music Company. Aside from the piano solo music, only one other solo piece exists (''Polonaise Brilliante for Flute Alone''); and Zachara only wrote one vocal piece, ''Help me oh Lord.'' Eleven sonatas for solo instrument plus piano survive, as do two of his three string quartets. Some of the chamber music, such as ''Valse Sentimentale'' and ''Grande Suite in Blue'' were scored for both chamber and band/orchestral settings. Zachara's music has been published by at least 8 publishers, including Gamble Music Co., Theodore Presser Co., Leblanc Publications Inc., Music Publisher's Holding Corp., Remick, G. Schirmer, Shattinger Piano & Music Co., and Southern Music Co. Vinyl recordings of him playing works by Liszt, Chopin, Delibes- Dohnányi, and Strauss-Zachara were released by Transphono/Ohio Recording Service.


Works

Much of Zachara's music is now lost or exists in fragmentary forms. The list below was selected from the works that exist in their entirety (in score form).


Piano solo collections

*''New Well-Tempered Clavicord for the Piano'' (25 sets of preludes and fugues) *''Six Piano Pieces for Left Hand Alone (op. 43)'' *''Three Organ Chorales Piano Transcription (op. 44)'' *''Twelve Master Etudes in Minor Keys (op. 29)'' *''Twelve Master Preludes (op. 19)'' *''Twelve Waltzes for Piano (op. 52)'' *''Twenty-Four Etudes in All Keys'' *''Two Mazurkas''


Piano solo individual works

''Americana for Piano Solo''
''Barcarolle (op. 9)''
''Berceuse for Piano Solo''
''Boogie Woogie Etude''
''Burlesque''
''Capriccio in E-flat Major (op. 39)''
''Capriccio in F-sharp Major (op. 5)''
''Dutch Dance''
''Gavotte in B Minor''
''Gavotte in D Major''
''Grand Valse Chromatique''
''Indian Sacrifice''
''Menuet in A Minor''
''Menuet in Classic Style''
''The Music Box''
''The Music Box: Cracoviene Polish Natinoale Dans''
''Poeme (op. 12)''
''Rondo for Piano Solo''
''Sans Souci''
''Scherzo in E Minor (op. 29)''
''Second Rhapsody by Liszt''
''Slavic Dance''
''The Star Spangled Banner'' (arrangement)
''Suite in Classic Style (op. 7)''
''Twelve Variations on the Theme "America"''
''Twelve Variations on the Theme "Happy Birthday" for Piano and Orchestra''
''Waltz in G Major o. 1'


Chamber works

''Americana for Two Pianos or Four Hands''
''Double Concerto for Two Clarinets and Strings''
''Fantasia for Trumpet and Piano (op. 32)''
''Five Fugues for Woodwind Trio''
''Fugue in Six Voices (flute, oboe, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons)''
''Grande Suite in Blue for Clarinet and Piano''
''Help me oh Lord (voice and piano)''
''Humoresque (clarinet and piano)''
''March for Two Pianos (op. 1)''
''Meditation (cello and piano)''
''Pastorale and Fugue for Woodwind Trio''
''Perpetual Motion (two pianos, or piano four hands)''
''Piano Concerto in E Major (op. 30) (Two-Piano Version)''
''Polonaise Brilliante for Flute Alone''
''Rondo Brillante for Strings''
''Rondo Brillante for Woodwind Trio and Strings or Piano''
''Serenade for Violin and Piano''
''Six Pieces for Cello and Piano''
''Sonata Expaniole for Woodwind Trio''
''Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (op. 46)''
''Sonata for Cello and Piano (op. 13/40/73)'' – various versions
''Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 1 (op. 72)''
''Sonata for Clarinet and Piano No. 2''
''Sonata for Horn and Piano''
''Sonata for Oboe and Piano (op. 55)''
''Sonata for Oboe and Piano (op. 77)''
''Sonata for Trombone and Piano (op. 18)''
''Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (op. 22/42)''
''Sonata for Violin and Piano (op. 71)''
''String Quartet in D Major''
''String Quartet in G Major (op. 31/38)''
''Ten Master Pieces for Discriminating Woodwind Performers'' (various w.w. trios, or two clarinets and piano)
''Three Organ Chorales''
''Toccata for Two Clarinets and Piano''
''Triple Concerto for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Strings''
''Twenty-Four Variations on the Theme "Happy Birthday" for Two-Pianos''
''Two Organ Chorales for Woodwind Trio''
''Valse Sentimentale (cello and piano)''
''Valse Triste (clarinet and piano)''
''Variations and Fugue for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon''
''Variations on a Nursery Rhyme for Woodwind Trio''


Band/orchestral works

''Concerto Grosso No. 1 (Horn Solo)''
''Concerto Grosso No. 2 (Trumpet Solo)''
''Concerto Grosso No. 3 (Cello Solo)''
''Concerto Grosso No. 4 (Violin Solo)''
''Concerto Grosso No. 5 (Oboe Solo)''
''Concerto Grosso No. 6 (Trombone Solo)''
''Grande Suite in Blue for Clarinet Solo and Symphonic Band''
''March Carnaval'' (symphonic band)
''March No. 1'' (symphonic band)
''March No. 2'' (symphonic band)
''March No. 3'' (symphonic band)
''March No. 4'' (symphonic band)
''Mediation for Symphonic Band''
''Piano Concerto in E Major (op. 30)''
''Rhapsody for Trumpet and Symphonic Band''
''Romanza Espaniole'' (symphonic band)
''Rondo Brillante for Solo Clarinet and Symphonic Band''
''Symphonic Waltz No. 2'' (orchestra)
''Symphony No. 1 (op. 60)''
''Twenty-Four Variations on the Theme "Happy Birthday" for Piano and Orchestra''
''Valse Sentimentale for Symphonic Band''
''Valse Symphonique'' (symphonic band)


References

*Froelich, Mark J. ''The Franciszek Zachara collection at the Warren D. Allen Music Library: Catalog and biographical notes.'' allahassee, FL : Florida State University College of Music;, 2005. *''General faculty minutes of the School of Music'' at Florida State University, August 30, 1966, pp. 6–7. Found here is a tribute by Dean Karl Kuersteiner. *Mays, D.H. "Guns and music," ''Florida Wildlife'' (v. 7, April 1954, pp 36–37; 48). Tallahassee, FL: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, 1947-. *"Music Prof F. Zachara dead at 67," ''Tallahassee Democrat'' (Thursday, February 3, 1966).


External links


Warren D. Allen Music Library at Florida State University
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zachara, Franciszek Concert band composers Polish composers Polish male classical pianists Polish emigrants to the United States Florida State University faculty Jews from Galicia (Eastern Europe) People from Tarnów 1898 births 1966 deaths Saratov Conservatory alumni Brenau University faculty 20th-century Polish composers 20th-century Polish classical pianists 20th-century Polish male musicians