Ladislav Mokrý

Assoc. Prof. PhDr. Ladislav Mokrý, CSc. was a Slovak musicologist, music publicist, university lecturer, and organizer of musical life. He was active primarily as a leading figure, applying his knowledge in the practice of cultural and social life. He studied musicology at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava and worked there for some time as a research assistant. He taught continuously for almost his entire life also at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU). For seven years he was a research worker at the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV), served as the long-time director of the Slovak Philharmonic, and held several leading positions in the field of musical culture. He was also an editor for the publishing houses Tatran and the State Music Publishing House.

In his research, he focused on the history of Slovak music, specializing in Baroque music, music sociology, and culture. He was the author of articles, studies, and works concerning the older history of Slovak and Slavic music and music sociology. He wrote the article Slovenská hudba v Čs. vlastivede, IX. Umení, sv. 3 (1971), and during his tenure at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University prepared important teaching materials on musical paleography and collaborated on the significant publication Dejiny slovenskej hudby (History of Slovak Music, 1957). He contributed to several translations of professional music literature.

As the director of the Slovak Philharmonic, he supported the introduction of Slovak compositions (not only) by commissioning new works, giving opportunities to young performing talents, and contributed to the professionalization of the choir. He was also involved in the construction of the House of Arts in Piešťany.

Ladislav Mokrý actively participated in the development of musical and concert life in Slovakia. In 1974, as a member of the selection committee, he contributed to the founding of the Žilina Chamber Orchestra and the appointment of its first chief conductor Eduard Fischer. He was present at the birth of the international festival Bratislavské hudobné slávnosti (Bratislava Music Festival), where he served for many years as vice-chairman and later chairman of the festival committee; he held several functions in musical associations, institutions, collegiums, and councils. For many years he was a member and later in the leadership of the International Music Council of UNESCO, where he organized numerous musical and musicological events. During the Iron Curtain era, he helped develop international relations and artistic exchange. He also served as a deputy and member of the council of the National Committee of the capital city Bratislava.