Oľga Odzganová

Oľga Odzganová was a Slovak musicologist, music journalist, and educator. She worked as an editor of the music broadcasting department of Czechoslovak Radio in Bratislava and helped shape radio music journalism as a specific genre.

“She made a significant contribution to the popularization of art, especially various music genres, through numerous programs for a wide audience.” (Pravda, 25.2.2012)

She studied music education at the Pedagogical College (today the Faculty of Education of Comenius University in Bratislava), and after graduating, she worked as a teacher at the Pedagogical School in Krupina. In 1957, she joined Czechoslovak Radio, where she remained until her retirement.

Odzganová began in Broadcasting for Schools, where she collaborated with the Children’s Choir of Czechoslovak Radio and its then-conductor Ondrej Francisci. In Broadcasting for Youth, she worked on the programs Mikrofórum (Microforum), Svet mladých (World of Youth), Plná poľná dobrých správ (A Full Pack of Good News), and for many years was an inseparable part of the popular show Na modrej vlne (On the Blue Wave), which aired on Friday evenings. In this show, Oľga Odzganová was able to apply her extensive knowledge of both popular and classical music, which she brought closer to the younger audience. The program was fresh and also full of unconventional and abroad music. She included music quizzes, reports, interviews with artists, and poetry segments.

“In the memories of those it was intended for, recollections of the golden age of Modrá vlna (Blue Wave) are still alive today – where, in terms of music, Oľga Odzganová had a particularly positive impact on the development and shaping of artistic taste through her focused dramaturgy with a broad range of information and an engaging form of presentation.” (Zdenka Bernátová, Hudobný život, 1993, no. 7)

Later, she worked in the editorial office for symphonic, opera, and chamber music. Together with Jozef Malovec, she was responsible for Music News. With Viera Režuchová, she prepared the first reports about BHS (Bratislava Music Festival).

“Especially in the 1970s, it was a glorious and important period not only for the festival itself, but thanks to Oľga Odzganová also for its transformation into a radio format with a far-reaching effect.” (Zdenka Bernátová, Hudobný život [Music Life], 1993, no. 7)

She continued to collaborate with the BHS festival even after her departure from the radio.

Together with Zdenka Bernátová and Zdenko Nováček, she hosted the show – a music quiz titled Five Questions for You. She also contributed to live broadcasts of concerts by the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak Philharmonic, and other events.

Eventually, she settled in the main news editorial office, where she produced music segments and reports for programs such as Rádiomaják (Radio Beacon), Dobré ráno (Good Morning), Kontakty (Contacts), Pohľady do kultúry (Cultural Insights), and others.

She conducted numerous interviews with domestic and international figures from the cultural world, as well as discussions and reports.

Among her particularly valued recordings are a documentary about Prof. Anna Kafendová, a report about Dr. Ľudovít Rajter, and a program titled Slovenská filharmónia na cestách (The Slovak Philharmonic on Tour).

For her work in radio, she received several awards. In 1973, she was awarded the title Vzorný pracovník Čs. rozhlasu (Distinguished Employee of Czechoslovak Radio), and in 1975, she received an Honorable Mention from the General Director of Radio in Prague. For the program Hudba je súčasťou môjho života (Music Is Part of My Life), she and her colleague Zdenka Bernátová won 1st prize in the nationwide radio competition.