Alois Hába

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Alois Hába (June 21, 1893, Vizovice – November 18, 1973, Prague) was a Czech composer primarily known for his microtonal compositions, especially using the quarter tone scale, though he used others such as sixth-tones and twelfth-tones. His brother Karel Hába was also a composer, and their father was a musician.

He was a student of composer Vítězslav Novák. He was supported by Josef Suk and with his help was able to found a microtonal department of teaching and research at the Prague Conservatory in 1924. He also commissioned quarter and sixth tone instruments such as trumpets and pianos. His best known work is the opera Die Mutter, which received its premiere at the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich, Germany in May 1931; curiously, the cast included the Swiss tenor Max Meili, an early music specialist and primarily a recitalist rather than an opera singer.