John Stepan Zamecnik

John Stepan Zamecnik
Zamecnik c. 1927
Born(1872-05-14)May 14, 1872
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 1953(1953-06-13) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesJ.S. Zamecnik
Dorothy Lee
Lionel Baxter
Robert L. Creighton
Arturo de Castro
"Josh and Ted"
Jane Hathaway
Kathryn Hawthorne
Roberta Hudson
Ioane Kawelo
J. Edgar Lowell
Jules Reynard
Frederick Van Norman
Hal Vinton
Grant Wellesley
EducationPrague Conservatory
FamilyPaul Zamecnik (great-nephew)
John Stepan Zamecnik
OccupationConductor
InstrumentViolin
Theme, Mysterious Burglar Music, intended for photoplay musicians use, by Zamecnik (1913)[1] Playⓘ

John Stepan Zamecnik (May 14, 1872 in Cleveland, Ohio – June 13, 1953 in Los Angeles, California) was an American composer and conductor. He is best known for the "photoplay music" he composed for use during silent films by pianists, organists, and orchestras.

Zamecnik used many pseudonyms, including Dorothy Lee, Lionel Baxter, R.L. (Robert) Creighton, Arturo de Castro, "Josh and Ted", J. (Jane) Hathaway, Kathryn Hawthorne, Roberta Hudson, Ioane Kawelo, J. Edgar Lowell, Jules Reynard, F. (Frederick) Van Norman, Hal Vinton and Grant Wellesley.[2]

  1. ^ Sam Fox Moving Picture Music (Zamecnik, John Stepan): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project, Vol. II, p.16. Accessed: September 28, 2015.
  2. ^ G. H. Grainger. "John Stepan Zamecnik".