Nine Etudes in Fugue Style, Vol. I, Op. 44 was a two-year project (1965-66). The fugue form has always been a favorite of Svoboda"s since the earliest stage of his musical career. At the age of 12 years he was already composing fugues, having enthusiastically studied those of J.S. Bach. When he entered the Prague Conservatory of Music he quickly discovered the organ, the most natural instrument for this form. Nine Etudes in Fugue Style, Vol. II, Op. 98 was inspired by the death of composer"s father. May 18, 1980, on the very day that Mount St. Helens erupted, in southern Washington just fifty miles from Portland across the Columbia River, Antonin Svoboda passed away. The following month in response to his loss, Tomas began the 10th etude in fugue style. This was the first in a second volume of etudes, which took five years to compose.