John Stepan Zamecnik
Encyclopedia
John Stepan Zamecnik was an American composer and conductor, most notably of "photoplay music
." (music used by silent film theater orchestras)
He used many pseudonym, including Dorothy Lee, Lionel Baxter, R.L. (Robert) Creighton, Arturo de Castro, "Josh and Ted", J. (Jane) Hathaway, Kathryn Hawthorne, Roberta Hudson, Ioane Kawelo, J. Edgar Lowell, Jules Reynard, F. (Frederick) Van Norman, Hal Vinton and Grant Wellesley.
. He went to the National Conservatory of Music of America
in 1895, but returned to Prague.
In 1899 Zamecnik finally returned to the United States to live. He joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
as a violinist and concertmaster with Victor Herbert
. In 1907, Zamecnik became music director of the newly constructed Hippodrome Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. When the Hippodrome began showing motion pictures, Zamecnik began writing musical scores which were published by Samuel Fox
, whose company was the first to publish original film scores in the United States.
Photoplay music
Photoplay music is the term given to music written specifically for the accompaniment of silent films.-Early years:Early films merely relied on classical and popular repertory, mixed usually with improvisation by whatever accompanist was playing .Around 1910, folios of photoplay music began being...
." (music used by silent film theater orchestras)
He used many pseudonym, including Dorothy Lee, Lionel Baxter, R.L. (Robert) Creighton, Arturo de Castro, "Josh and Ted", J. (Jane) Hathaway, Kathryn Hawthorne, Roberta Hudson, Ioane Kawelo, J. Edgar Lowell, Jules Reynard, F. (Frederick) Van Norman, Hal Vinton and Grant Wellesley.
Career
From 1887 to 1892 Zamecnik studied at Prague Conservatory of Music under Antonín DvořákAntonín Dvorák
Antonín Leopold Dvořák was a Czech composer of late Romantic music, who employed the idioms of the folk music of Moravia and his native Bohemia. Dvořák’s own style is sometimes called "romantic-classicist synthesis". His works include symphonic, choral and chamber music, concerti, operas and many...
. He went to the National Conservatory of Music of America
National Conservatory of Music of America
The National Conservatory of Music of America was an institution for higher education in music founded in 1885 in New York City by Jeannette Meyers Thurber...
in 1895, but returned to Prague.
In 1899 Zamecnik finally returned to the United States to live. He joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The orchestra's home is Heinz Hall, located in Pittsburgh's Cultural District.-History:...
as a violinist and concertmaster with Victor Herbert
Victor Herbert
Victor August Herbert was an Irish-born, German-raised American composer, cellist and conductor. Although Herbert enjoyed important careers as a cello soloist and conductor, he is best known for composing many successful operettas that premiered on Broadway from the 1890s to World War I...
. In 1907, Zamecnik became music director of the newly constructed Hippodrome Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. When the Hippodrome began showing motion pictures, Zamecnik began writing musical scores which were published by Samuel Fox
Samuel Fox (1884-1971)
Samuel Fox , American music publisher and founder of the Sam Fox Publishing Company and the first to publish original film scores in the United States.-Early life:...
, whose company was the first to publish original film scores in the United States.
Works for orchestra
- 1919 My Cairo Love , Egytische serenade
- 1921 Somewhere In Naples
- Babylonian Nights
- China Doll Parade, for orchestra and organ
- I Gathered a Rose I gathered a Rose
- Treacherous Knave
- Wings
Works for band
- 1928 Scarlet Mask, overture
- 1930 Olympia, overture
- 1935 World Events, March
- 1936 1776, overture
- 1939 Fortuna, overture
- Indian Dawn, serenade
- Neapolitan Nights
- Southern Miniatures, suite
Film
- 1923 The Covered Wagon 1923 The Covered Wagon
- 1926 Old Ironsides - Sons of the Sea
- 1927 WingsWings (film)Wings is a silent film about World War I fighter pilots, produced by Lucien Hubbard, directed by William A. Wellman and released by Paramount Pictures. Wings was the first film, and the only silent film, to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Wings stars Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and...
- 1927 The Rough Riders - The Trumpet Calls
- 1928 Abie's Irish Rose
- 1928 The Wedding March
- 1929 Betrayal
- 1929 Redskin
- 1930 Bear Shooters
- 1930 When the Wind Blows
- 1931 Strictly Dishonorable
- 1931 Pardon Us - Gaol Birds - Jailbirds
- 1932 Wild Girl - Salomy Jane
- 1932 Chandu the Magician
- 1932 My Pal, the King
- 1932 Igloo
- 1932 Impatient Maiden
- 1932 Looking on the Bright Side
- 1933 The Worst Woman in Paris?
- 1933 The Power and the Glory - Power and Glory
- 1933 Paddy the Next Best Thing
- 1933 Deluge
- 1933 Shanghai Madness
- 1933 The Man Who Dared
- 1933 The Warrior's Husband
- 1933 Zoo in Budapest
- 1933 Dangerously Yours
- 1933 The Face in the Sky
- 1933 Cavalcade
- 1934 Dos más uno dos - Two and One Two
- 1934 Baby Take a Bow
- 1934 Midnight - Call It Murder
- 1935 The Fighting Marines
- 1935 The Adventures of Rex and Rinty
- 1935 Our Little Girl
- 1935 Charlie Chan in Egypt
- 1937 SOS Coast Guard
- 1937 Come On, Cowboys!
- 1937 Riders of the Whistling Skull - The Golden Trail
- 1938 The Terror of Tiny Town