Arthur Kreutz

Kreutz was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His paternal grandparents Frank R. Kreutz (originally František Kříž) and Paulina Zahradníková were born in the Czech village Pístina.[1][2] Arthur's second cousin was the composer Robert E. Kreutz.

Kreutz composed the Paul Bunyan Suite, the Dixie Concerto, the score to Martha Graham's 1942 ballet Land Be Bright,[3] and Symphonic Blues (for orchestra) (1947); some of his orchestral pieces were played by the New York Philharmonic, with whom he appeared at times as a guest conductor.[4] Among his other works is a 1954 opera about the University Greys of the University of Mississippi.[5] Kreutz taught from 1954 until 1961 at the University of Mississippi; he died of cancer in Oxford, Mississippi.[4] The University holds his papers in its libraries.[6]