| ROBERT STOLZ VIENNESE MUSIC SOCIETY INC |
| A brief history |
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We trust that you will enjoy programs brought to you by the Robert Stolz Society. |
| Members comments welcome. mailto:jo@rsvmsm.com |
| The Robert Stolz Viennese Music Society
Inc was officially launched on 12th May 1984. Its establishment was
instigated by Robert Stolz’s widow Einzi, then visiting Melbourne, who
wanted to encourage the performance of her late husband’s work in
Australia. The Society’s original name “The Australian Robert Stolz
Society Inc” has only recently changed to “Robert Stolz Viennese Music
Society Inc”. Robert Stolz was a Viennese composer and conductor. Born in Graz on 25th August 1880, he met and was befriended by Johann Strauss, who encouraged him to take an active interest in the kind of music so popular in Vienna at the time. Stolz wrote more than 2000 songs, 50 operettas, and scores for over 100 films. He conducted Viennese music all over the world winning the hearts of millions of music lovers. He is known as the last of the waltz kings. Stolz also composed the United Nations Anthem, the Olympic March, and Israel’s famous song “Follow the Sun”. Shortly before his death in 1975, he said, “I’m nearly 95 now and my century of waltz has almost run full cycle. If my melodies have found a place in the hearts of the people, then I know that I have fulfilled my mission in life and will not have lived in vain.” Since its founding the Society has become an integral part of Melbourne’s musical scene with the staging of many successful concerts at a variety of venues. Continuing public interest in concerts over the years is a testament of successes the Society’s founders and committees had in promoting lighthearted Viennese music in a relaxed and happy atmosphere, whilst conveying some of Stolz’ joy of life & laughter. The Society has become a sponsor of numerous music organisations in Melbourne. It is also helping talented young Australian singers and instrumentalists to perform in true Viennese manner and to further their musical careers. A history of the Society cannot be complete without providing some information about its founders, JUDr Vratja (Roger) Prochazka and his wife Hedy Holt-Prochazka. Through their common interests and middle European background, Roger and Hedy met in the late 1970s and married in 1983. Roger was born near Prague in Czechoslovakia into a music loving family. After the 1948 political upheaval, he emigrated to Austria and then to Melbourne. Here he ran a successful seafood import business and followed his musical interests. Roger, now Vice-President, was the Society’s President until 2005. Hedy’s story is quite similar. Born from Austrian parents in Bratislava, also in the then Czechoslovakia, she studied singing and became a successful concert singer in nearby Vienna. With her career interrupted by the war, Hedy left Austria’s uncertainty and arrived in Australia in 1949. Determined to promote Viennese music, she soon resumed her singing at concerts and at the ABC radio. Hedy also started teaching at the Melba Conservatorium of Music and for a long time has guided singers performing at the Society’s concerts. She passed away shortly after reaching her 89th birthday on the last day of 2007. We trust that you will enjoy programs brought to you by the Robert Stolz Society. |
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Inc” Please contact: |