Stanislav “Stanley Jan Barta” Letovsky (1890-1965) was an internationally known classical musician and composer born in Florence.

Born to a second generation Bohemian immigrant family in Florence, Letovsky was a child prodigy on piano and in composing. His father was a gifted musician who performed at the Boyd Theatre in downtown Omaha, and who taught the young Letovsky himself. With skills that led him to becoming the conductor of the Omaha High School symphony at the age of 15, Letovsky was recognized early for his abilities. At least one of his early performances was at the Florence Opera House located on Main Street.

After going to Europe to continue his studies, he became the alternate conductor of a German orchestra at just 18 years old.

He married fellow Bohemian Gilberta J. Williams in 1925 in Omaha. Returning to Europe, eventually he led orchestras throughout Germany.

Moving back to Nebraska permanently in 1930, he opened a studio and taught students in Omaha through the late 1950s. Later, Letovsky lived in Colorado and California, too. His works include opera, classical compositions for violin, piano and voice, and more. Letovsky died during his last trip while visiting Berlin.

Letovsky was buried October 4th, 1965, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Florence neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska.

Works

Some of his published works included…

• “Variations Upon An Original Theme” for piano, Opus 2
• Five piano pieces:
  • “Praeludion”
  • Il Penseroso
  • “Valse Intermezzo”
  • “Sehnsucht”
  • “L’Allegro,” Op.3
• Four Ballads for piano, Opus 4
• “Five Fantasy Pieces,” Opus 5
• “Five Songs,” Opus 14
• Sonata for piano, Opus 1
• Variations for piano Opus 2
• Five Piano Pieces Opus 3
• Four Ballads for Piano Opus 4
• Five Fantasy Pieces Opus 5
• Five Songs Opus 14
• Through my Dreams for Violin and Piano Opus 16a
• Frau Anne , Grand Opera in 3 acts
• Ballade for Orchestra

You Might Like…

• People from North Omaha History
• A History of the Florence Neighborhood
• A History of Music in North Omaha

MY ARTICLES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF MUSIC IN NORTH OMAHA
PEOPLE: George T. McPherson | Dan Desdunes | Flora Pinkston | Jimmy Jewell, Sr. and Jimmy Jewell, Jr. | Jim Bell | Paul Allen, Sr. | Josiah “P.J.” Waddle | Frank “Red” Perkins | George Bryant
PLACES: 24th and Lake Historic District | Dreamland Ballroom | Carnation Ballroom | Stage II Lounge | Club Harlem | The Off Beat Club | King Solomon’s Mines | Allen’s Showcase | Druid Hall
EVENTS: Stone Soul Picnic | Emancipation Day & Juneteenth | Native Omahans Festival

Elsewhere Online

• Czech Music in Nebraska by Ceska Hudba v Nebrasce (1980)
• “Stanislav Letovsky” on German Wikipedia

BONUS