Ladislao Zavertal (Zavrtal/Zavrthal/Sawerthal) 1849-1942

[giles.enders]

Ladislao Joseph Philip Paul Zavertal (Zavrtal/Zavtthal/Sawerthal)  Born 29.9.1849 Milan  Died 29.9.1942 Cadenabbia, Italy

He is descended from a Bohemian family¹ of musicians and composers.  He was the second son of Wenceslas(Vaclav) Hugo Sawerthal. He married Erna Charlotte Wolff² and they had two daughters³
He was initially taught by his father.  In 1872 he emigrated to Glasgow and became a conductor of various Glasgow orchestras and bands. He subsequently came to London where he held the post of Master of the Royal Artillery Band⁴, 1881-1906. In 1895 he inaugurated and conducted The Sunday Concerts at The Royal Albert Hall.  He was naturalized British in 1896.  For most of his life he also composed.

Orchestral

Symphony in C minor  1884
Symphony in D minor  1888 (performed at Queens Hall, London 1906)
Overture 'Garibaldi'
Overture 'Loyal Hearts'  1897 patriotic overture for Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.   pub. by Boosey
Slavonic overture
Two short pieces:  1. Al Fresco,  2. The Murmering Stream  1887   pub. by Boosey

Band

'Resi'  polka for military band
A Wee bit of heather -  fandango   pub by Lafleur & Son

Chamber

Piano Quintet in C  1877
Piano Quartet in D flat
Piano Trio
String Quintet 'Schlummerlied

Piano

Al Fresco  1885  pub. by Boosey
Badinage  1880   
Un Dolce Abbandono - mazurka  1875
Fleur de la Jeunesse - bagatelle en form de valse
Una Foglia d'Autunno - mazurka
The 14th of January 1892 - elegie   pub. by Boosey
Glow-worms   pub. by Boosey
Grasshopper - gallop
Milli, styrienne
The Murmering Stream   pub. by Boosey
Old Edinboro' - gavotte   pub. by Boosey
On the Waves - valse
Petits Sabots - bagatelle   pub. by Boosey
Virtute et Valore - grand march   pub. by Boosey

Song

Across the Sea words by T M Watson  1881
Amore  1871
L'Aube nait  words by Victor Hugo 1871
Beneath the Cypress  words by T M Watson  1881
The Golden Gates - Bridal Song.  words by T M Watson
Bless you, Bobs!.  march chorus, composed for Lord Roberts return from Africa  words by Rudyard Kipling pub. by Boosey

Have you not seen the timid tear  words by Thomas Moore
Il Primo palpito
My love's true hearted  words by C J Rowe
An Old Story  words by J P Hopps

In a Trance - for tenor, two violins, cello, double bass and harp  1895   pub. by Boosey


Opera

'Una Notte a Firenze'  1870
'Tita'  1870
'I tre perucci'  1871
'La sura palmira sposa'
'Mirra (Myrrha) 1886
'Love's Magic'  1890 Performed in London 1890  words by J R J Jocelyn   pub. by A Hayes & Co.

1
Wenceslas (Vaclav) Hugo Sawerthal  31.8.1821 - 1899  settled in Scotland from 1875. Some of his published works and manuscripts are held by the University of Glasgow.(deposited in 1928)
Joseph Rudolph Sawerthal  5.11.1819 - 1893 brother of above.
2
Erna Charlotte Wolff (Irish) 1853-  wife, married in 1874
3.
Mirra Caro Elsa  Zavertal  1877-1966 married Ernest j Hazel who had probate of Zavertal's estate
Luise May Resi  1879-1936  married Godfrey Exham

4.
The Royal Artillery Band was formed in 1762 in the midst of the seven years was in Minden. It returned to its Royal Artillery parent unit at Woolwich the following year.  It was fou8nded and formed by Lieutenant Colonel w. Phillips in 1759 and granted official status in 1762
(History of military music in England by H G Farmer)

[eschiss1]

according to RISM his father was Vaclav Hugo Zavrtal/Zarwetal 1821-1899; they have his Ave Maria in B-flat op.30 listed there.

[giles.enders]

Both his uncle and father were prolific composers but it was Ladislao's British links which interested me.

[Gareth Vaughan]

University of Glasgow have quite a lot of his piano music and songs, also the D flat Piano Quartet and the "Schlummerlied" String Quintet. Very little in the way of orchestral music but, interestingly, something called "The Murmuring stream" (score +parts) and "Loyal Hearts - a patriotic overture (score +parts). Also, back to chamber works, a pianoforte trio and "In a trance" for 2 violins, viola (tenor), cello, bass and harp (ad lib.).  Worth investigating perhaps.