Frantisek Rauch

František Rauch was a Czech pianist and music teacher born on February 4, 1910, in Plzeň, Austria-Hungary. He studied piano under Karel Hoffmeister and composition with Vítězslav Novák at the Prague Conservatory. Rauch's career began as a chamber musician and concert pianist, performing widely across Europe, Japan, and America. His repertoire included works by Beethoven, Smetana, Liszt, Schumann, Novák, and Chopin. He recorded over 60 albums. As president of the Czech Chopin Society, Rauch promoted the Chopin Festival in Mariánské Lázně. From 1939, he taught at the Prague Conservatory, mentoring notable musicians such as Zuzana Růžičková and Petr Eben. He composed several works, including a Concertino for Piano and Small Orchestra and the piano suite Jaro. He passed away on September 23, 1996, in Prague.