Name:
Position:
Pianist in Residence and Head of Performance
Email:
Location:
Tower Room 1, Main Arts Building
Phone:
Background
Born in Prague, I studied at the Conservatoire there before moving, with the help of an international scholarship, to the Conservatoire in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Following the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 I moved to Britain, completing my studies in London. In 1975 I was appointed Performing Fellow in Music at the University of Lancaster, and in 1979 Pianist-in-Residence at Bangor.
Teaching
Solo Performance at undergraduate, master’s and PhD levels; Ensemble Performance; Techniques of Teaching; Performance and Interpretation
Responsibilities
As Pianist in Residence I make regular appearances in the Music at Bangor concert series, both as a soloist and with the Bohemia Trio (resident ensemble at Bangor) – also giving duo recitals with its violinist, Jonathan Rees, and with its cellist, Ioan Davies. As Head of Performance I am responsible for co-ordinating the work of some 30 visiting teachers and for overseeing the instrumental and vocal studies of around 90 undergraduates, taught postgraduates and doctoral students.
Main performance interests
In addition to the standard repertoire, I have particular interests in the solo piano repertoire of the nineteenth century (especially that of Schumann), Czech music, chamber music and contemporary music. I have given first performances of numerous works written for me by prominent composers. As a soloist I have recorded regularly for BBC Radio 3 and appeared with leading orchestras.