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Biography |
by Robert Cummings
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Bohuslav Matousek has scored success both as a member of the Stamic String Quartet and as a freelance player regularly appearing in chamber and solo concerts. Not surprisingly, Matousek has been most closely associated with the major Czech repertory, particularly the works of Dvorák and Martinu. Matousek has played and recorded virtually all the works for violin and orchestra by that iconic Czech pair, as well as all their string quartets. He has also recorded the complete Martinu output for violin and piano and much other Czech fare, including works by Smetana and Janácek. But Matousek has hardly limited himself to Czech music: his repertory takes in whole chunks of J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, and many composers from the twentieth century. Matousek has made more than 20 recordings as a soloist and countless ones as a member of the Stamic Quartet. Many of his recordings are currently available from Supraphon, Bayer, Denon, Hyperion, Crystal, and Brilliant Classics.
Bohuslav Matousek was born in Havlíckuv Brod, (now) Czech Republic. He was a gifted youth, and from 1967-1972 he studied music at the Prague Academy of Music, where his teachers included Jaroslav Pekelsky and Vaclav Snitil. During breaks Matousek took master classes from Arthur Grumiaux and had private studies with Nathan Milstein.
During his student years Matousek won prizes at several important competitions, but his breakthrough came when he captured first prize at the 1972 Prague Spring International Competition. Matousek subsequently launched his career in Czechoslovakia as a soloist and quartet player, appearing regularly as a member of the Dolezal Quartet, from 1972-1985. From 1977-1980 he spent much time in Japan, making both chamber and orchestral appearances.
Upon the disbanding of the Dolezal Quartet in 1985, Matousek co-founded the Stamic (also spelled as Stamitz) Quartet and served as first violinist until 1995. During his decade in the ensemble Matousek and company received lavish acclaim for their interpretations of Czech music, particularly for their complete sets of the Dvorák and Martinu quartets on Supraphon.
After his 1995 departure, Matousek has regularly appeared as a soloist with major orchestras, as well as with pianist Petr Adamec in duo repertory and as a member of the Antonin Dvorák Trio. Among Matousek's recordings is Vol. 3 of the complete music for violin and orchestra by Martinu, on Hyperion, with conductor Christopher Hogwood leading the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. |
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