Vladimír Godár

Vladimír Godár (born 16 March 1956, Bratislava) is a Slovak composer who is active in the fields of contemporary classical music and film music. He is also known for his collaboration with the Czech violinist, singer and composer Iva Bittová. As an academic, he is a writer, editor and translator of books on historical music research. He has been active in reviving the music and reputation of 19th Century Slovak composer Ján Levoslav Bella.

He studied composition under Juraj Pospíšil and piano under Mária Masariková at the Bratislava Conservatory. In 1979 he began work as editor of the music books department of OPUS, and he taught at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava from 1985.

His work is little known outside Slovakia, but much of his music has been released by Slovart Records. Amongst his compositions is a large scale sonata for cello dedicated to the memory of Victor Shklovsky.

Music by Godár on CD

• Concerto Grosso and Partita; conducted by period performance specialist Andrew Parrott. (original release OPUS 9350 2090, re-released on Point Classics)
• Music for Cello, performed by Jozef Lupták, Slovart Records SR-0027
• Barcarolle - Music for Violin, Slovart Records SR-0047
• Chamber Music, performed by Albrecht Quartet, Jozef Lupták(cello), Nora Skuta(piano), Slovart Records SR-0018
• Mater; suite for female voice (Iva Bittová), choir and Baroque string orchestra. (ECM New Series 4765689)
• Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs; songs by Janáček, transcribed by Godár, performed by Iva Bittová and the Skampa Quartet. (Supraphon SU3794)
• Five arrangements of Grieg's Lyric Pieces by Godár (with sonatas by Franck and Grieg) (Naxos Records 8.550417)

External links

• Vladimír Godár: Cello sonata (in memory of Viktor Shklovsky) on YouTube
• Godár website (English) (Slovak)
• Biographical detail (including discography, bibliography of personal references, bibliography of published works, list of awards)
• Biographical detail (Slovak)
• Vladimír Godár at the Internet Movie Database
• Vladimír Godár's page at Faber Music Ltd
• Notes on Georg Muffat (1653-1704) by Godár for Naxos Records