Born in ervený Kostelec, on February 27, 1923, Kalabis was an important 20th century Czech composer. Viktor was interested in music from a young age, but due to the Nazi occupation of Prague he was unable to study music in Prague until after WWII. Kalabis studied at the Prague Conservatory and at the Academy of Music and Charles University. In 1952 he married Zuzana R i ková, who later became a renowned harpsichord player. They both refused to join the Communist party, making their musical careers difficult. Eventually, Viktor got work in the children's music section at Prague Radio. It was in this post that he established the now internationally known Concertino Praga competition for young musicians. He truly established himself as an international composer when in 1957, Manuel Rosenthal performed Kalabis' Concert for violoncello Op. 8 with the Orchestra de Paris at the Theatre des Champs Élysées. Many of his works were commissioned, for example, by the Czech Philharmonia, the Dresden Philharmonic, Camerata Zurich, Josef Suk, The Suk Trio, János Starker, Maurice André, The Prague Spring Festival and many others. His composition Sinfonia pacis is one of the most-played Czech contemporary music compositions. Although most of the works of Viktor Kalabis are symphonic, concertante or chamber compositions, his vocal works such as the cantata Canticum Canticorum, the chamber cantata Vojna, song cycles and choruses are of a similar high standard. For stage he was written the Fable for chamber orchestra and the two-part ballet score Two Worlds, inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In 1967, he received the Prize of the Czechoslovak Music Critics and in 1969 he was awarded the State Prize. Eventually, Kalabis became President of the Bohuslav Martin Foundation. Here he established the Bohuslav Martin Institute for studies and information, launched the Martin Festival and competition, and created a dynamic base from which Bohuslav Martin s work has become far better known. The seven intimate Quartets date from 1949 onwards, the last appearing in 1993. This SACD tribute to Kalabis, has on its cover the painting Head by Ota Janecek, Czech painter and friend of Viktor s: a profound influence, along with Chagall and the works of J.S.Bach.