Rudolf Matz was born September 19, 1901 in Zagreb, Croatia he died in 1988 and he had written more than 300 instrumental and vocal compositions.
Leonard Rose called Matz, "perhaps the greatest cello theoretician in the world." Janos Starker said, "Rudolph Matz's dedication and expertise has produced much needed material for the young cellist."
He studied cello, composition and conducting at the Zagreb Academy of Music, from which he graduated in 1926. He became Professor of Cello at the University of Zagreb in 1950, and continued in the position until his retirement in 1972. Matz has produced about 100 compositions for cello and cello ensembles of various dimensions. He wrote the monumental 32 volume "First Years of Violoncello."