Barvič and Novotný bookshop

ČESKÁ 13

At the time of its establishment, Barvič bookshop was the only Czech business of its kind in Brno. From 1883 this shop which  sold books, music, art supplies, paper and educational aids was sited on Česká street no. 4. As a supporter of all Czech endeavours in a predominantly German Brno, Janáček ordered his books and music here. In 1897 Josef Barvič took on Josef Novotný as his business partner and the shop moved to Česká 13, where it is still located today. In addition to their own shop, there was also a publishing firm, an art gallery and a music salon which Janáček also attended. Another thing Janáček and Barvič had in common was their interest in Russian culture - both were members of the Brno Russian Circle which organised lectures and readings from Russian literature. 

It is also worth mentioning Janáček's relationship with another Czech bookseller, Arnošt Píša, who established Brno's second Czech bookshop, and soon afterwards the first antiquarian bookshop in Brno, located on Česká 28 from 1913. Janáček published several of his theoretical as well as music volumes through Píša's publishing firm. The antiquarian bookshop closed in 1992 when the building at the corner of Česká and Joštova was demolished and a new bank was built in its place

My esteemed gentleman! We would like to sincerely reiterate those wonderful sentiments which were expressed to you in today's Lidové noviny: May you retain your health, Maestro, and keep working for a long time with your will unbowed and with that bravery which you have shown in the face of unappreciative Moravian circumstances.

From a letter from Josef Barvič to Leoš Janáček (3. 6. 1914)

Josef Barvič and his wife congratulate Janáček on his 60th birthday © Moravian Museum