Richard Zgodava

• 

Zgodava, Richard Described by Jerome Hines, noted Metropolitan opera basso, as "not only an excellent pianist---- I mean on a world scale---- but a sensitive accompanist as well as a friendly and cooperative colleague", Richard Zgodava pursued a wide ranging career that included solo recitals, guest appearances with symphony orchestras in the United States and England, accompanying, choir directing, composing and voice coaching. He died on June 23rd, 2011. Richard Zgodava grew up in Minneapolis. He studied piano locally with Marjorie Winslow Briggs, Wilma Anderson Gilman and Guy Maier, and organ with Rupert Sircom and John Joseph Beck. In 1952, he was a winner in the National Federation of Music Clubs national young artists competition. Soon afterwards he was granted a Fulbright scholarship for study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His teacher there was Harold Craxton, a close colleague of Myra Hess. The only local artist to perform on The Schubert Club International Artists Series and the most frequently heard pianist on The Schubert Club's "Live from Landmark "concerts, Mr. Zgodava also won acclaim for his performances on the public radio series "Music and Man". He was given the service award of the American String Teachers for his work as accompanist for area instrumentalists and students. For many years Richard Zgodava was the official accompanist for the area Metropolitan Opera Auditions, and he was a primary pianist and harpsichordist for the Bach Society. On the occasion of a concert honoring Alberto Ginastera, the great Argentine composer inscribed Mr. Zgodava's score of his piano sonata with the words: "magnificent interpretation; brilliant execution". Richard Zgodava was heard on several recordings carrying the Sound Environment label, and he accompanied famed violinist Joseph Silverstein on a compact disc entitled "Violin Encores". His forty-seven years as choirmaster- organist for the Church of Saint Richard in Richfield led him to compose and arrange choral music, especially for the Christmas season. Some of these works were presented in concerts and recordings by the Bach Society, the Dale Warland Singers, Exultate Ensemble and the National Lutheran Choir. Mr. Zgodava spent thirty-five years in a supervisory position in the Art and Music Department at the Minneapolis Public Library, where he was known as the highly respected authority on all questions regarding things musical. During this time he was responsible for selection of music books, scores and recordings, thus continuing to build one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated public library music collections in the United States. Richard Zgodava is survived by his nephew, Donald Manchak (Lynn) of Ann Arbor, MI, his niece, Marilyn Pfund (Philip) of North Canton, OH, his grand nieces, Annemarie Gessner (John) and Catherine Walsh (Anthony), and Melanie Manchak, and by several great grand nieces and nephews; also by close friends, Peter Staudohar and James Goetz. A further announcement will be forthcoming about a memorial gathering to be held on a Saturday in October 2011 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota.

Published on July 10, 2011