For many years Pavel Stanék (1927) worked for the Czech Radio. In 1963, he became chief conductor of the Ostrava Radio Orchestra and remained in that position until 1990. At the same time, he started to work with the Vitkovák concert band. In the meantime he acquired an international reputation as a prolific composer: His musical œuvre encompasses many works of the so-called "smaller" genres, arrangements of folk songs, concert music which often is firmly rooted in the musical traditions of his native country and, of course, larger-scale orchestral works as well as pieces for chamber music. Melodic inventiveness, formal clarity and an expert understanding of orchestral colors are typical of his easily understandable music. He likes to work with reminiscences of early musical styles, such as baroque and renaissance music. At the same time, inspirations coming from the folklore of his native country are of great importance in his musical output. His compositions for wind bands have earned him prizes in several competitions. In his overture "Spring Is Coming Now" he portrays the gradual awakening of spring, and not an outburst of emotions which often is also mentally linked with this season of the year.