VYCPALEK LADISLAV ), Czech composer, was born at Vrsovice near Prague in 1882. He is one of the most serious and intellectual of modern composers, leaning strongly towards mysticism and sacrificing both colour and euphony, where necessary to polyphonic requirements. His most interesting work is the cantata, Of the Last Things of Man (192o), which may be described as a spiritual protest against the materialism which prevailed after the World War. It is based on Moravian folk
music and consists of choruses and soprano and bass solos. Other works are : a string quartet op. 3; four sets of songs, Visionen, Lebensfeste, In Gottes Hut and Erwachen; Moravian folk-songs and ballads and pianoforte pieces. Vycpalek holds the post of librarian to Prague university.