Josef Vorel

Who was Josef Vorel?

Josef Vorel was a Czech priest and composer. He is known mainly as a composer of songs and choirs in the folk style.

Vorel was born in Opočno, the son of a teacher. He began his musical training at an early age. He learned the piano, viola and organ at age five. From 1813 he studied at gymnasium in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, where he founded and led a student brass orchestra. During his theological studies in Prague he met and befriended the writer and translator Karel Alois Vinařický, an important exponent of the Czech cultural scene during the period of the Czech National Revival. He occasionally attempted to compose cantatas to Vinařický's words.

Following his ordination in 1825, he briefly served as a chaplain in Cerhovice and Žebrák. In 1835 he moved to Zdice, where he served as a priest for the rest of his life. During his active career he maintained contacts with several Czech artists and poets such as Josef Jungmann, Šebestián Hněvkovský and brothers Jan and Vojtěch Nejedlý. He died in Zdice.

Vorel's musical output is influenced by the patriotic atmosphere of the Czech National Revival.