Leos Janacek

Czech composer Leos Janacek was a pioneer in helping shape a new modern musical style, influenced by traditional Moravian and Slavic music. His work as a musical theorist, folklorist and teacher through the turn of the century and into the early 1900s buttressed his compositional work, enriching his influential works. A maverick from a young age, Janacek's individualism and originality shines through his music. He is considered one of the most important and influential Czech composers, along with Bedrich Smetana and Antonin Dvorak.