Marek Brezovský
Encyclopedia
Marek Brezovský was a Slovak music composer
, songwriter
, piano
player and singer. He studied at the Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia. He died of heroin overdose
at the age of 20. Brezovský was an exceptionally talented musician and is deemed one of the most influential modern Slovak composers.
Music was the essence of Brezovský´s life. During his studies at the Music School, he founded Súbor súčasnej hudby (The Contemporary Music Ensemble) where he was engaged both as a composer and a piano player. The Contemporary Music Ensemble performed Brezovský´s classical music
pieces (Miniatúra pre sláčikový orchester - Miniature for String Orchestra, Venované nešťastiu - Dedicated to Sorrow and many more). He also founded the Art-M Trio, an art rock
band (Marek Brezovský – keyboards, vocals; Marek Minárik- bass guitar; Michal Kresťanko – drums). The band´s live performances accrued plaudits from both critics and audiences. It was then that Brezovský made his first studio recordings. Many songs and pieces from this period later appeared on albums (Hrana – The Edge, 1999) and (Komorná Hudba - Chamber Music, 2004). Brezovský was also a member of a punk rock
group, Avanavany.
Brezovský composed a soundtrack to the musical film, Muzikál (produced by the Slovak Television). In 1994, he wrote scores for the Pressburger Blut performance (a play staged by the GUnaGU Theater). His music was also used in Chekhov´s
The Seagull
(Čajka - performed by the Nitra Theater, Slovakia). In 2000, the performance received the Dosky Award
(The Slovak Theatre Awards) for best score. His classical music compositions are performed at numerous classical music festivals.
In 1999, Brezovský´s close friend, Oskar Rózsa, put together a band in order to produce and record the album Hrana (The Edge) with Brezovský´s compositions. The album contains 14 original tracks, 2 of which are re-mastered versions of rare recordings Brezovský had performed at the age of 17. The album has since become legendary and is considered one of the masterpieces of the Slovak music scene.
In 2011, Oskar Rózsa et al. commenced the ´Hrana Tour´ (The Edge Tour). Live performances introduced all tracks from the original CD as well as several thus far unknown compositions from Brezovský´s legacy. The tour was a sensational success.
Recently, Patrik Lančarič, a Slovak director has begun filming a documentary on Brezovský´s life and work (currently in production). In close future, a new CD with Brezovský´s unreleased tracks is expected to be produced.
Brezovský´s legacy – consisting of CDs with his abundant music ideas – is being managed by his family.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
player and singer. He studied at the Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava, Slovakia. He died of heroin overdose
Drug overdose
The term drug overdose describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced...
at the age of 20. Brezovský was an exceptionally talented musician and is deemed one of the most influential modern Slovak composers.
Life and career
Marek Brezovský was the son of Ali Brezovský, a well-known Slovak music composer. Brezovský started taking piano lessons at the age of 5. Later, he studied composition at the Bratislava Music School (Konzervatórium). From 1993, he continued his composition studies at the Bratislava Academy of Performing Arts up until his untimely death in 1994.Music was the essence of Brezovský´s life. During his studies at the Music School, he founded Súbor súčasnej hudby (The Contemporary Music Ensemble) where he was engaged both as a composer and a piano player. The Contemporary Music Ensemble performed Brezovský´s classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
pieces (Miniatúra pre sláčikový orchester - Miniature for String Orchestra, Venované nešťastiu - Dedicated to Sorrow and many more). He also founded the Art-M Trio, an art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
band (Marek Brezovský – keyboards, vocals; Marek Minárik- bass guitar; Michal Kresťanko – drums). The band´s live performances accrued plaudits from both critics and audiences. It was then that Brezovský made his first studio recordings. Many songs and pieces from this period later appeared on albums (Hrana – The Edge, 1999) and (Komorná Hudba - Chamber Music, 2004). Brezovský was also a member of a punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
group, Avanavany.
Brezovský composed a soundtrack to the musical film, Muzikál (produced by the Slovak Television). In 1994, he wrote scores for the Pressburger Blut performance (a play staged by the GUnaGU Theater). His music was also used in Chekhov´s
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
The Seagull
The Seagull
The Seagull is the first of what are generally considered to be the four major plays by the Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov. The Seagull was written in 1895 and first produced in 1896...
(Čajka - performed by the Nitra Theater, Slovakia). In 2000, the performance received the Dosky Award
Dosky Awards
The Dosky Awards are presented annually for achievements in Slovak theatre. The winners are selected by vote by theatre critics. Recent winners in the principal categories have been as follows.-Best Actress:...
(The Slovak Theatre Awards) for best score. His classical music compositions are performed at numerous classical music festivals.
In 1999, Brezovský´s close friend, Oskar Rózsa, put together a band in order to produce and record the album Hrana (The Edge) with Brezovský´s compositions. The album contains 14 original tracks, 2 of which are re-mastered versions of rare recordings Brezovský had performed at the age of 17. The album has since become legendary and is considered one of the masterpieces of the Slovak music scene.
In 2011, Oskar Rózsa et al. commenced the ´Hrana Tour´ (The Edge Tour). Live performances introduced all tracks from the original CD as well as several thus far unknown compositions from Brezovský´s legacy. The tour was a sensational success.
Recently, Patrik Lančarič, a Slovak director has begun filming a documentary on Brezovský´s life and work (currently in production). In close future, a new CD with Brezovský´s unreleased tracks is expected to be produced.
Brezovský´s legacy – consisting of CDs with his abundant music ideas – is being managed by his family.
Discography
- Hrana (The Edge) (1999)
- Komorná hudba (Chamber Music) (2004)
- Rebelie III. Neopunk (1992) – a compilation album with 4 songs performed by the Avanavany group.