PRAZAK QUARTET
	RELATED Prazak Quartet Program Information Back to the main story		Vaclav Remes, violin Vlastimil Holek, violin Josef Kluson, viola Michal Kanka, cello The Prazak Quartet--one of today´s leading international chamber music ensembles--was established in 1972 while its members were students at the Prague Conservatory. Since then, the quartet has gained attention for its place in the unique Czech quartet tradition, and its musical virtuosity. The 1974 Czech Music Year saw the Prazak Quartet receive the first prize at the Prague Conservatory Chamber Music Competition. Within twelve months their international career had been launched with a performance at the 1975 Prague Spring Music Festival. In 1978 the quartet took the first prize at the Evian String Quartet Competition as well as a special prize awarded by Radio France for the best recording during the competition. Further prizes were awarded at various other Czech competitions. For nearly 30 years, the Prazak Quartet has been at home on music stages worldwide. They are regular guests in the major European musical capitals--Prague, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Madrid, London, Berlin, Munich, etc.--and have been invited to participate at numerous international festivals, where they have collaborated with such artists as Menahem Pressler, Cynthia Phelps, Roberto Diaz, Josef Suk, and Sharon Kam. Highlights for the 2000/2001 season include performances in Paris, Amsterdam, Dresden, Frankfurt, Berlin, Venice, Madrid, Sevilla, at the Festival in Schwetzingen. In North America, the Prazak Quartet has performed in New York (Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, 92nd St. Y), Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Washington, Philadelphia, Miami, St. Louis, New Orleans, Berkeley, Cleveland, Tucson, Denver, Buffalo, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Their 2002-03 North American tours will bring them to (among others) audiences in New York (Carnegie), Houston, Dallas, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Tucson, Chicago, Indianapolis, Palm Beach, Oberlin, Berkeley, Costa Mesa, and La Jolla. The Prazak Quartet records exclusively for Praga/Harmonia Mundi which, to date, has released 20 award-winning CDs. In addition to numerous radio recordings in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, the Prazak Quartet has also made recordings for Supraphon, Panton, Orfeo, Ottavo, Bonton, and Nuova Era. Instruments: 1st Violin: Lorenzo Guadagnini, ca. 1730 2nd Violin: Tomás Pilar, 1995 Viola: Tomás Pilar, 1985 Violoncello: Giovanni Grancino, 1710 (State Collection) July 2002--Please discard previously dated materials. PRAZAK QUARTET--individual biographies VACLAV REMES was born in Usti, and studied at the Prague Conservatory with Marie Voldanova. During this time, he drew attention to himself by winning the National Competition of Violinists in Pisek in 1973. As a student of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague--in the masterclass of Professor Novotny--he was awarded third prize in the International Competition of Prague Spring. He joined the Prazak Quartet in 1973. VLASTIMIL HOLEK was born in Zermanice, Ostrava. He studied at the Conservatory of Music in Ostrava, and graduated from the Prague Conservatory in 1974. He continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in the masterclass of the renowned professor, Mrs. Hlounova, and was finalist of several national competitions. He joined the Prazak Quartet in 1976. In addition to his activities in the Quartet, he appears as soloist with orchestra and in recital. JOSEF KLUSON was born in Vysoke Myto, studied viola at the Conservatory of Music in Prague, and continued his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in the masterclass of Josef Kodousek, a member of the Vlach Quartet. During this time, he was awarded many prizes in both viola and chamber music competitions. Together with Josef Prazak, he founded the Prazak Quartet in 1972. In addition to his activities in the Prazak Quartet he appears as soloist and often gives masterclasses. MICHAL KANKA drew attention to himself while still studying at the Prague Conservatory and at the Academy of Fine Arts where he was a student of Josef Chuchro. He won top prizes and laurels in many competitions including Prague (1982), and Munich (1983 and 1986). He has performed successfully both in the Czech Republic and abroad as soloist with leading orchestras and in recital, and has recorded numerous CDs including the complete sonatas by Beethoven and Martinu. He has been a member of the Prazak Quartet since 1986.
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