František Jílek
Encyclopedia
František Jílek was a Czech
conductor
, known especially for his interpretation of Leoš Janáček
's works.
, and later studied conducting under Antonín Balatka and Zdeněk Chalabala
at the Brno Conservatory
. In 1937, Jílek completed his education at the Prague Conservatory
, in the master class of Vítězslav Novák
. From 1938 to 1949 he conducted the opera in Ostrava
. In 1952, he became the principal conductor of Janáček´s opera in Brno
, a position he held for 25 years. During his career Jílek frequently conducted the orchestra of the National Theatre in Prague
, the Czech Philharmonic, as well as orchestras abroad. In 1978, he became the conductor of the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
.
s of Bedřich Smetana
and Leoš Janáček, and also focused on Russian
and Italian
operatic repertoire. The recordings of his interpretations of Janáček's, Novák's and Martinů
's work are available on the Czech label Supraphon
. He was awarded the Orphée d'Or de l'Academie National du Disque Lyrique (Prix Arturo Toscanini
-Paul Vergnes) for the recording of Janáček's opera Jenůfa
in 1980.
Czech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, known especially for his interpretation of Leoš Janáček
Leoš Janácek
Leoš Janáček was a Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian and all Slavic folk music to create an original, modern musical style. Until 1895 he devoted himself mainly to folkloristic research and his early musical output was influenced by...
's works.
Life
Jílek began studying piano and composition as a pupil of Jaroslav KvapilJaroslav Kvapil (composer)
Jaroslav Kvapil was a Czech composer, teacher, conductor and pianist.Born in Fryšták, he studied with Josef Nešvera and worked as a chorister in Olomouc from 1902 to 1906. He then studied at the Brno School of Organists under Leoš Janáček, earning a diploma in 1909...
, and later studied conducting under Antonín Balatka and Zdeněk Chalabala
Zdenek Chalabala
Zdeněk Chalabala was a Czech conductor. He conducted orchestras in Prague, Ostrava, Moscow.In 1924 he founded Slovácká filharmonie. He was chief opera conductor of the Slovak National Theatre, where he produced many Yugoslav and Russian operas. He was also conductor in the National Theatre of Brno...
at the Brno Conservatory
Brno Conservatory
The Brno Conservatory, also Brno Conservatoire , was established in Brno on 25 September 1919 by Moravian composer Leoš Janáček.- History :...
. In 1937, Jílek completed his education at the Prague Conservatory
Prague Conservatory
Prague Conservatory, sometimes also Prague Conservatoire, in Czech Pražská konzervatoř, is a Czech secondary school in Prague dedicated to teaching the arts of music and theater acting.- Instruction :...
, in the master class of Vítězslav Novák
Vítezslav Novák
Vítězslav Novák was one of the most well-respected Czech composers and pedagogues, almost singlehandedly founding a mid-century Czech school of composition...
. From 1938 to 1949 he conducted the opera in Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
. In 1952, he became the principal conductor of Janáček´s opera in Brno
National Theatre (Brno)
The National Theatre in Brno is the major theatre house in Brno. It was established in 1884 by model of the National Theatre in Prague.Nowadays it consists of three stages:...
, a position he held for 25 years. During his career Jílek frequently conducted the orchestra of the National Theatre in Prague
National Theatre (Prague)
The National Theatre in Prague is known as the Alma Mater of Czech opera, and as the national monument of Czech history and art.The National Theatre belongs to the most important Czech cultural institutions, with a rich artistic tradition which was created and maintained by the most distinguished...
, the Czech Philharmonic, as well as orchestras abroad. In 1978, he became the conductor of the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra
Brno Philharmonic Orchestra is an orchestra based in Brno, the Czech Republic. Its predecessor was the Czech Symphony Orchestra, dating from the 1870's. The current Brno Philharmonic was formed in 1956 with the merger of the Radio Orchestra and the Brno Region Symphony Orchestra, with Břetislav...
.
Work
He conducted the complete operaOpera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s of Bedřich Smetana
Bedrich Smetana
Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer who pioneered the development of a musical style which became closely identified with his country's aspirations to independent statehood. He is thus widely regarded in his homeland as the father of Czech music...
and Leoš Janáček, and also focused on Russian
Russian opera
Russian opera is the art of opera in Russia. Operas by composers of Russian origin, written or staged outside of Russia, also belong to this category, as well as the operas of foreign composers written or intended for the Russian scene. These are not only Russian-language operas...
and Italian
Italian opera
Italian opera is both the art of opera in Italy and opera in the Italian language. Opera was born in Italy around the year 1600 and Italian opera has continued to play a dominant role in the history of the form until the present day. Many famous operas in Italian were written by foreign composers,...
operatic repertoire. The recordings of his interpretations of Janáček's, Novák's and Martinů
Bohuslav Martinu
Bohuslav Martinů was a prolific Czech composer of modern classical music. He was of Czech and Rumanian ancestry. Martinů wrote six symphonies, 15 operas, 14 ballet scores and a large body of orchestral, chamber, vocal and instrumental works. Martinů became a violinist in the Czech Philharmonic...
's work are available on the Czech label Supraphon
Supraphon
Supraphon Music Publishing is a Czech record label, it is oriented mainly towards publishing classical music, with an emphasis on Czech and Slovak composers.- History :...
. He was awarded the Orphée d'Or de l'Academie National du Disque Lyrique (Prix Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor. One of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and 20th century, he was renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory...
-Paul Vergnes) for the recording of Janáček's opera Jenůfa
Jenufa
Jenůfa is an opera in three acts by Leoš Janáček to a Czech libretto by the composer, based on the play Její pastorkyňa by Gabriela Preissová. It was first performed at the Brno Theater, Brno, 21 January 1904...
in 1980.
Selected recordings
- Fibich: The Bride of Messina CD. 11 1492-2 612 (Supraphon)http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=3056
- Janáček: The Excursions of Mr. Brouček CD. 11 2153-20612 (Supraphon)http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=2906
- Janáček: DestinyDestiny (Janácek)Destiny is an opera in three acts by Leoš Janáček to a Czech libretto by the composer and Fedora Bartošová. Janáček began the work in 1903 and completed it in 1907. The inspiration for the opera came from a visit by Janáček in the summer of 1903, after the death of his daughter Olga, to the spa...
CD. SU 0045-2 611 (Supraphon)http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=1434 - Janáček: JenůfaJenufaJenůfa is an opera in three acts by Leoš Janáček to a Czech libretto by the composer, based on the play Její pastorkyňa by Gabriela Preissová. It was first performed at the Brno Theater, Brno, 21 January 1904...
CD. SU 3869-2 612 (Supraphon)http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=2008598 - Janáček: Orchestral Works I.-III. CD. SU 3886-3888-2 031 (Supraphon)http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=2009607http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=2009608http://www.supraphon.cz/cs/katalog/databaze-titulu/detail-titulu/?idtitulu=2009609