JAN URBAN  

The Czech composer Jan Urban was born into an aristocratic Prague family in the year 1875. As a young man he belonged to an idealistic group of Czech musicians intent on spreading musical culture throughout the South Slav lands. Graduating from Prague Conservatory in 1896, three years later he settled in Valjevo (Serbia), having married Milka, a young woman of remarkable beauty. For the rest of his life he was committed to the establishment of music schools, choirs and orchestras, devoting his time to teaching, conducting and composing.

– Biljana Urban