Cenek J. Vrba
Encyclopedia
Cenek J. Vrba is a violinist and concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
. He was born in 1948 in the Czech Republic
and is one of Canada
's foremost violinists, being described as a “True inheritor of the Czech string tradition…violinist of a rare distinction”. (Tokyo – Japan).
His early music training started at the State Conservatory of Music in the Czech Republic. While there, he won many prizes including the first place in the highly acclaimed Beethoven National Violin Competition.
After immigrating to Canada in 1968 following the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia
, he pursued further studies in the United States and Europe. During this time he worked with such artists as Josef Gingold
and Henryk Szeryng
. While a senior
at the University of Calgary
in 1970 Greater Spokane Music and Allied Arts Festival Grand Award.
Winning the CBC National Radio Competition has launched his many solo recordings for CBC Radio and Television. Since then Mr. Vrba has recorded and toured in recital and with various orchestras in the United States, Japan, China and many European countries. He has appeared with conductors such as Kurt Masur
, Yoel Levi
, Franz-Paul Decker
, N. Otaka and many others.
His recordings have been released on the Japanese label Fontec and in North America on the Lyra and CBC SM-5000 labels. His repertoire is truly comprehensive, including over twenty-five concerti, all well-known sonatas and many other compositions, including those written for him by Canadian and Japanese composers.
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra, based in Calgary, Alberta. The orchestra gives the majority of its performances in the Jack Singer Concert Hall of the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts...
. He was born in 1948 in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and is one of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's foremost violinists, being described as a “True inheritor of the Czech string tradition…violinist of a rare distinction”. (Tokyo – Japan).
His early music training started at the State Conservatory of Music in the Czech Republic. While there, he won many prizes including the first place in the highly acclaimed Beethoven National Violin Competition.
After immigrating to Canada in 1968 following the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia
Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia
On the night of 20–21 August 1968, the Soviet Union and her main satellite states in the Warsaw Pact – Bulgaria, the German Democratic Republic , Hungary and Poland – invaded the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic in order to halt Alexander Dubček's Prague Spring political liberalization...
, he pursued further studies in the United States and Europe. During this time he worked with such artists as Josef Gingold
Josef Gingold
Josef Gingold was a Russian-Jewish-born classical violinist and teacher, who lived most of his life in the United States...
and Henryk Szeryng
Henryk Szeryng
Henryk Szeryng was a Polish violinist.-Early years:He was born in Żelazowa Wola, Poland on 22 September 1918 into a wealthy family....
. While a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
at the University of Calgary
University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
in 1970 Greater Spokane Music and Allied Arts Festival Grand Award.
Winning the CBC National Radio Competition has launched his many solo recordings for CBC Radio and Television. Since then Mr. Vrba has recorded and toured in recital and with various orchestras in the United States, Japan, China and many European countries. He has appeared with conductors such as Kurt Masur
Kurt Masur
Kurt Masur is a German conductor, particularly noted for his interpretation of German Romantic music.- Biography :Masur was born in Brieg, Lower Silesia, Germany and studied piano, composition and conducting in Leipzig, Saxony. Masur has been married three times...
, Yoel Levi
Yoel Levi
Yoel Levi is a musician and conductor. Born in Romania, he grew up in Israel. He studied at the Tel Aviv Academy of Music, earning a Master of Arts degree with distinction. He also studied at the Jerusalem Academy of Music under Mendi Rodan. Levi won the 1978 International Besançon Competition...
, Franz-Paul Decker
Franz-Paul Decker
Franz-Paul Decker is a German-born conductor.-Biography:Decker was born in Cologne, Germany, where he studied at the Hochschule für Musik with Philip Jarnach and Eugen Papst...
, N. Otaka and many others.
His recordings have been released on the Japanese label Fontec and in North America on the Lyra and CBC SM-5000 labels. His repertoire is truly comprehensive, including over twenty-five concerti, all well-known sonatas and many other compositions, including those written for him by Canadian and Japanese composers.