Czech composer, pedagogue, orchestra director and poet.

Born in 24 January 1897, in Benátecka Vrutice (Milovice, Czech Republic). Son of Joseph Vlach, agricultor. He studied composition and musical pedagogy in Praga's Conservatory. In 1927, he moved to Dubrovnik (Croatia), where he was director of the Dubrovacke Filharmonije, music teacher of the local Gymnasium, organist between 1931 and 1936, and president of the Dubrava Singing Society. In 1933, he was director of the Kurokestar, instrumental ensemble that was created that same year. In his musical repertoire, he directed pieces of the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, to whom in 1936 he asked for a signed picture. From 1942, he collaborated with the local press of Dubronvik. He returned to his hometown in 1946, where he continued with his teaching and compositional work. He was member of the Société Internationale de Musicologie, of the Comité artistique d'Alliance des Sociétés Chorales Yougoslaves, and federal councillor of the Ligue Mondiale chorale et philharmonique. He received the titles of Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Rédemption Africaine de Liberia, Officer d'Accademia Française de l'Ordre de Saint Sava, Chavalier honoraire de l'Ordre de la Table Ronde du roi Arthur,and Chevalier de l'Ordre impérial du Dragon d'Annam. He stood out for the composition of dances, like the series "Marodni tance", or orchestral pieces like "Moments musicaux", "Improntus", or "Slovanska rapsodie". He passed away on 18 September 1977, in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic).