Jiri Matys (born 27 October 1927 at Bakov, Nachod area) has entered Czech musical life at the end of the forties, armed with experience gained at the Brno Conservatory (graduated in the section of organ play in 1947 under Frantisek Michalek) and the Janacek Academy of Arts and Music (composition under Jaroslav Kvapil, graduated in 1951).
His style has developed independently and individually right from the beginnlng. Poetism is the determining trait of compositions by Matys. It appears in most various ways anging from simple lyrical confession up to an expression of positive philosophy of life in large orchestral compositions while such dramatic aspects as the contrast element are its part. This poetism stems from an effort to grasp the feelings of present-day man, to express in music moments of happiness or sorrow, nostalgia and hope. The composer never loses sight of his listeners to whom he wants to bring music enabling full consonance. Chamber compositions prevail among the works by Jiri Matys. In this field he wrote dozens successful compositions ranging from those for solo instruments to which he dedicated really great attention, over traditional chamber istrumentation (especially string quartets and wind quintets) up to compositions for various groups of instruments in which he favours the sound of viola. Remarkable is his vocal creation with children’s choirs forming the most numerous group. Another chapter is represented by instructive compositions and those intended to advanced amateurs to whom the author has dedicated systematic attention right from the beginning of his career.
Orchestral compositions (Morning Music, Music for String Quartet and Orchestra, Written by Grief into Silence - cycle of songs with orchestra, Symphonic Overture, Music for Strings) are altogether marked by considerable instrumental and dynamic differentiation and expressional impressiveness. A number of his works won awards in composer's competitions. Jiri Matys was active as a teacher and organizer: he was a lecturer at the department of composition at the Janacek Academy of Arts and Music, director of the Public Art School at Brno, Kralovo Pole, Leading Secretary of the Brno branch of the Union of Czechoslovak Composers end Professor of the Conservatory in Brno. For many years he has held positions in central bodies of the Union of Czech Composers and Concert Artists, was a member of juries in competitions, festivals, etc.
Web: http://www.musica.cz/comp/matys.htm (2003)