The Mother

work by Hába

Also known as: “Matka”

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July 1, 2026

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Alois Hába was a Czech composer known for his pioneering work in microtonal music. He sought to expand the possibilities of music beyond traditional scales, experimenting with intervals smaller than a semitone, such as quarter tones.12

Hába's opera Matka (The Mother), first performed in 1931, is considered his masterpiece and showcases his innovative approach to composition, including his use of athematic constructions and microtonality. He also developed instruments to play his microtonal compositions and taught microtonal music at the Prague Conservatory.1

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Alois Hába
His opera Matka (The Mother), first performed in 1931, was his crowning achievement; in it he uses nonthematic constructions characteristic of his work as a whole. Such music makes as little use as possible of repetition and variation of distinct melodies and themes. Another athematic opera, Thy Kingdom…
Read More
His opera Matka (The Mother), first performed in 1931, was his crowning achievement; in it he uses nonthematic constructions characteristic of his work as a whole. Such music makes as little use as possible of repetition and variation of distinct melodies and themes. Another athematic opera, Thy Kingdom…
Read More