The mentor of this year’s winners of the Virtuosos V4+ international competition for young classical music talents will be violin virtuoso Jiří Vodička, concertmaster of the Czech Philharmonic, teacher at the Prague Conservatory and the University of Ostrava, and holder of numerous international awards.
Just as the treble clef appears at the start of every sheet of music, so too did your artistic journey begin in Ostrava, where you now return as a teacher. How do you recall your beginnings?
Ostrava will always hold a special place in my memories, as it was where my journey with the violin began. At the age of six, I started attending the elementary art school in Vítkovice, and at fourteen, I continued my studies at the University of Ostrava under the guidance of the remarkable Professor Golla. He became not only my violin instructor but also my mentor and role model in life.
After graduating, Ifelt drawn to Prague. Although it has claimed me ever since, and I have travelled nearly all over the world with my music, I still cherish returning to Ostrava – my home. I often come back, whether as a teacher at my Alma Mater, where I now share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of talented violinists, or for performances. For instance, last year, I played a programme of Italian Baroque music at the St. Wenceslas Music Festival. This year, I will return to the festival for a chamber music concert entitled Masters of Czech Music, performing alongside outstanding musicians: pianist Martin Kasík and cellist Václav Petr. Both are laureates of the Prague Spring Festival and my colleagues from the Czech Philharmonic, and together we form The Trio.
At the International Music Festival in Český Krumlov, you will serve as a mentor of this year’s winners of the Virtuosos V4+ international competition for young classical music talents. Which performers and pieces will you be presenting to us?
The concert will feature five exceptionally talented young musicians who, thanks to their victory in the competition, are on their way for remarkable international careers. Czech violinist Kateřina Švecová will perform an excerpt from the vibrant Spanish Symphony by Édouard Lalo. Fellow Czech, clarinetist Ondřej Toman, will play the first movement of Kramář’s Clarinet Concerto, followed by Hungarian clarinetist Ali Lugoši with W. A. Mozart’sClarinet Concerto in Amajor. The two young clarinetists will then join forces for Franz Krommer’s Concerto for Two Clarinets. The outstanding Slovak violinist Teo Gerler will tackle the highly challenging and spectacular Variations on an Original Theme by Henryk Wieniawski. Polish harpist Zarina Zaradna will perform Mikhail Mchedelov’s Variations on a Theme of Paganini. We will be accompanied on stage by the South Czech Philharmonic, conducted by Peter Valentovič.
Is your relationship with Festival Krumlov a one-time engagement, or can we anticipate broader cooperation in the future?
The last time I performed at the Krumlov Festival was two years ago alongside the exceptional chamber ensemble Barocco sempre giovane, featuring the aforementioned virtuoso programme from the Italian Baroque period. I have very fond memories of that particular concert, which was held in the packed Castle Riding Hall. The Riding Hall has an incredibly wonderful atmosphere; it is a magical place, and I am delighted to be returning to it again this year.
This year, festival visitors can look forward to Dvořák’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, which is one of the finest pieces ever composed for my instrument. Most violinists, including myself, hold it in high regard. Additionally, I will serve as this year’s mentor for the winners of the Virtuosos V4+ international competition for young European classical music talents. I am very appreciative of this role and eager to perhaps inspire these young artists in some way, sharing some of my experience with them. I am also excited about the prospect of them inspiring me, allowing me to absorb some of their youthful energy – an energy that sometimes wanes with age – along with their pure enthusiasm and fresh interpretations. These interpretations, unburdened by traditional expectations, are imbued with their authentic and distinctive approach to classical music.
But what about the future? The festival continues to grow and evolve every year, and the opportunities or collaboration are constantly expanding. So you will soon discover what we have in store for the next time.
Thank you for the interview.
