Rudolf Matz

Who was Rudolf Matz?

Rudolf Matz was a Croatian composer who had written about 500 instrumental and vocal compositions.

Leonard Rose called Matz, "perhaps the greatest cello theoretician in the world." Janos Starker said, "Rudolph Matz's dedication and expertise has produced much needed material for the young cellist."

Rudolf Matz, an important figure in the musical life of Zagreb in the 20th century, was a composer, cellist, teacher, conductor and choir master. He worked in music for more than six decades – from 1920 right up to his death, and associated with musicians, eminent professionals as well as amateurs, while his wife Margita was a pianist, harpsichordist and keyboard teacher.

He studied violoncello, composition and conducting at the Zagreb Academy of Music, from which he graduated in 1926. He became Professor of Cello at the Zagreb Music Academy, achieving international renown for his cello-teaching methods, which he brought together in a great compendium entitled 'First Years of the Cello' in 32 volumes. He would be invited to take part in the work of juries in the most prestigious cello competitions, in Moscow and Florence.