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Trio d’Archi di Praga
In 1999, Stanton Management brought about the first U.S. tour of the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra in nearly 20 years. The soloist chosen for that tour by CPCO artistic director Pavel Prantl was the young Welsh pianist Richard Ormrod (then age 25). The success of that tour brought about U.S. return tours of the CPCO with Mr. Ormrod in 2001 and 2003. A recording of the CPCO with Mr. Ormrod is planned in 2007. The success of the musical partnering of Mr. Prantl and Mr. Ormrod extended to European appearances of Mr. Ormrod with the CPCO and other Czech orchestras (including live radio broadcast to 38 countries, one of the first of its kind under the then new European radio cooperative endeavors) as well as appearances and recordings with major Czech chamber ensembles.
As a special event for the 2007-2008 season, Stanton Management is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of engagements of Mr. Prantl's highly regarded Trio d'Archi di Praga with Mr. Ormrod as guest pianist. Trio d'Archi di Praga was formed by members of the CPCO in 1983 and has successfully toured throughout Europe and Asia. In early November 2004, Mr. Prantl invited Mr. Ormrod to perform with the Trio in Prague for the second time. We are pleased to make available excerpts from the live recording of this performance at the B?evnov Monastery in Prague. We believe you will note the exceptional musical collaboration between these artists. Members of the Trio d'Archi di Praga are: Pavel Prantl, violin; Oldrich Smola, viola; and Pavel Chovanec, cello. In addition to performances, institutions are invited to take advantage of the extensive teaching/coaching experience of the members of the Trio and Mr. Ormrod. Brief details of the teaching experience of Mr. Prantl and Mr. Ormrod are included at the end of their biographies below.
Program A: J K Vanhal Divertimento for String Trio in D Major Program B: A Vranicky String Trio D Major Program C: J Haydn Trio No 1, Op 53 in G Major
Biographies (extended bios are available upon request): Pavel Prantl, Violin/Leader Born in Susice, Czech Republic, Pavel Prantl first attracted public attention making his public debut with the Czechoslovak Broadcasting Corporation at age eleven. Continuing his studies at the Kromeriz Conservatory he won First Prize in the Beethoven Violin Competition. At age nineteen, Mr. Prantl was accepted at the Academy of Music in Prague under Prof. Peska, leader of the famed Czechoslovak Quartet. Upon Prof. Peska's death, Mr. Prantl completed his Master's Degree under Prof. V. Snitil. While at the Academy, Mr. Prantl won First Prize in the 1966 Martinu Competition. In 1970, he again won a First Prize at the First National Violin Competition and in 1972 won the Bronze Medal at the Otakar Sevcik International Competition. As a soloist, he performed with many orchestras including the Prague Symphony FOK, Prague Radio Symphony, and the Moravian Philharmonic. He also actively performed as the Chamber Duo with his wife, noted pianist Martina Maixnerova. In 1967, Mr. Prantl joined the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, in 1980 was appointed Concertmaster of the Singapore Symphony, and in 1988 was appointed Artistic Director and Concertmaster of the Prague Chamber Orchestra, and from 1993-1995 he held the post of Professor and Head of the String Department at the Hong Kong Academy of Arts. Upon a permanent return to Prague in 1996, Mr. Prantl was appointed Concertmaster of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra (1996-2000), Prague Radio Chamber Orchestra (1996-2000), and again to the post of Artistic Director and Concertmaster of the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, a post which he holds to this day. He holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the London Institute of Applied Research and Honorary Professorships from the University of Bruxelles and the Haute Ecole de Recherche in Paris. In addition to performing, Mr. Prantl has been a guest teacher at numerous international institutions, has taught at the major Czech musical institutions, and is presently professor of violin at the Plzen Conservatory. Richard Ormrod, guest pianist Welsh pianist Richard Ormrod made his first concerto appearance at the age of ten, playing Mozart. After youthful studies at the Welsh College of Music (Junior Department) and Wells Cathedral School, concentrating on piano, he chose to broaden his musicianship, earning an MA in musicology at King's College, Cambridge University. With prizes in five major international competitions won along the way, at age 17 Ormrod spent the first of five summers as an artist-in-residence at the Aspen Music Festival. Later, he accepted an invitation for several years postgraduate coaching with ElissoVirsaladze at the Moscow Conservatory. Mr. Ormrod, whose intellectual curiosity and philosophical probing informs his artistry, developed his career with a wide range of recital repertory--from Bach to Beethoven, Brahms and Schoenberg--performing for audiences throughout the United Kingdom, as well as in Austria, Bosnia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, the United States, and Yugoslavia. He toured as concerto soloist with the Philharmonia Virtuosi, the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Salzburg Hyperion Ensemble, and others. At the Beethoven gala on New Year's Eve 2000 he made a first London Barbican Centre appearance, with the Philharmonia Orchestra under conductor David Parry. He has again been chosen as soloist for New Year's Eve 2004 at the Barbican Centre. Professor Stephen Walsh, former music critic of the London Observer has said, "He is one of the most literate pianists I know, in both the musical and more general senses." In addition to performing, Mr. Ormrod serves on the faculties of the Royal Academy in London, the University of Wales in Cardiff, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Oldrich Smola, viola Oldrich Smola graduated from the Prague Conservatory of Music in the class of Prof. Ruis and completed his studies at the Prague Academy of Music with Prof. Motlik, then principal violist of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. He was chosen to lead the viola section of the Prague Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, the ensemble which won the First Prize at the Herbert von Karajan International Competition in 1972. After graduation, he joined the Smetana Theatre Orchestra and presently holds positions as principal viola of the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and assistant principal viola of the Prague Symphony Orchestra (FOK). Pavel Chovanec, cello Pavel Chovanec is the son of Jaroslav Chovanec, one of most experienced chamber musicians in Prague. He is well known as a member of the Novak Quartet and recently of the Dvorak Piano Trio. Also, during his career, he was appointed as a solo Cellist of the National Theatre Orchestra (Prague). With the Novak Quartet and Dvorak Piano Trio, Mr. Chovanec has performed in almost all countries of Europe, Africa, Asia and both Americas and has recorded dozens of titles for Czech and foreign recording companies.
“The masterly Trio d’Archi
di Praga left a deep impression. They possess a very high standard, nice and
brilliant sound, and virtuosity with a depth of musical expression.”
“…these arch-musicians of Prague showed the true flowering of musical polyphony
with only three musicians. They played with the highest musicality and
exceptional sound.” “…the
musicians played precisely and with a bird’s eye view of the larger musical
structures.” “…they
perfectly captured the fine shadings of the work.”
“…Haydn’s famous sense of humor was amply demonstrated. In Beethoven’s
Serenade, the freely played cello solos made all take notice of the cellist’s
ability.” “…Trio
d’Archi di Praga brought about the fascinating end of the season.” |
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