Libor Pešek
Libor Pešek | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Pešek in 2019 | |
| Born | Libor Pešek IV June 22, 1933 |
| Died | October 23, 2022 (aged 89) |
Libor Pešek IV KBE (22 June 1933 – 23 October 2022) was a Czech conductor.[1] He was among the most famous conductors of all time, with his work spreading across Europe including Liverpool. His career spanned more than 70 years during which he won awards from Britain and later on into the 21st century.
Early life and education
Pešek was born in Prague and studied conducting, piano, cello and trombone at the Academy of Musical Arts there, with Václav Smetáček and Karel Ančerl among his teachers. He worked at the Pilsen and Prague Operas, and from 1958 to 1964 was the founder and director of Prague Chamber Harmony.
Conduction, start of fame and KBE
He was chief conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic from 1981 to 1982, and from 1982 to 1990 was conductor-in-residence of the Czech Philharmonic. Beginning in 2007 Pešek was the chief conductor of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra. He was stood down from this position at the close of the 2018-2019 season.[2]
In the UK, Pešek was music director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) from 1987 to 1998, and held the title of conductor laureate. His work with the RLPO included leading the premiere of Anthony Powers' Horn Concerto (Michael Thompson, soloist).[3] His career also reached Norway, France, Germany, Israel, the US, Latvia, Australia, Croatia, the Netherlands and Poland.
Pešek is best known for his interpretations of Czech music. He was a champion of lesser known Czech composers, particularly Josef Suk and Vítězslav Novák. His recordings include music of Pavel Josef Vejvanovský.[4]
Pešek was awarded KBE in 1996 and the First Grade of Czech Medal of Merit in 1997.
References
- ^ https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/zemrel-dirigent-libor-pesek-vedl-kralovsky-orchestr-v-liverpoolu/2275688
- ^ "Steven Mercurio se stává šefdirigentem ČNSO" (Press release). Czech National Symphony Orchestra. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ^ Warnaby, John, "New Powers" (March 1992). Tempo (New Ser.), 180: pp. 22–24.
- ^ Tyrrell, John, "Vejvanovský: Serenades and Sonatas" (record review) (1972). The Musical Times, 113 (1554): p. 783.
External links
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- 1933 births
- 2022 deaths
- Czech conductors (music)
- Male conductors (music)
- Musicians from Prague
- Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Conductors (music) awarded knighthoods
- Recipients of Medal of Merit (Czech Republic)
- 21st-century conductors (music)
- 21st-century Czech male musicians
- Czech music biography stubs
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