Svatopluk Havelka

**Svatopluk Havelka** (1925–2009) was a Czech composer known for his evocative orchestral works and film scores, blending modernist techniques with a deep connection to Central European musical traditions. Born in Prague, Havelka studied composition at the Academy of Performing Arts and became a prominent figure in post-war Czech classical music. His catalog includes symphonies, chamber works, and collaborations with filmmakers like František Vláčil on the haunting score for *Marketa Lazarová* (1967), a landmark of Czech cinema.

Though less internationally recognized than some peers, Havelka’s music often explored themes of light, mysticism, and existential reflection, as heard in pieces like *Praise of Light* and his *Symphony No. 1*. Recent releases, such as *Heptameron*, highlight renewed interest in his lush, atmospheric style—think sweeping strings and dramatic brass paired with introspective quietude. A quiet innovator, Havelka’s work remains a hidden gem for fans of 20th-century orchestral storytelling.

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