Czech String Trio

Marie Hixova - violoncello

The concert activity of the Czech String Trio has given it a place of honour amongst chamber ensembles from Prague. It performs not only in Prague and other Czech towns but also in many other countries of Europe and Asia, especially in Japan. Nor does its repertoire consist only of the masterpieces of international literature; it gives due place to ancient and priceless masterpieces from Bohemia as well, which it re-introduces to the public. The Czech String Trio is also an interpreter of modern classical music and it has premièred several brand-new compositions, some of which are dedicated to the ensemble. It has made many radio and CD recordings both in the Czech Republic and abroad. To make its programmes even more interesting, the Czech String Trio also cooperates with solo woodwind players and pianists to form quartets.

Petr Matejak started his studies in the class of Prof. Josef Muzika and Prof. J.Dlouha. He graduated at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts in the class of Prof. Nora Grumlikova. His further tutors, Nathan Milstein and Vl.Malinin, exercised great influence at him as well. A brief period of study in Moscow was also an important experience. For nine years, he was a member of the Prague Chamber Orchestra, which he led on several occasions; he also played solo parts with this orchestra in Japan and Australia. At the present time, he is a member of the Czech String Trio and the Martinu Quartet. He teaches at international courses in both the Czech Republic and Great Britain.

Jiri Rajnis studied at the Prague Conservatory and graduated at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts in the class of Prof. Josef Kodousek. For many years he was a member of the Suk Chamber Orchestra with which he performed in almost every European country, U.S.A. and Japan. He played solo parts with this orchestra too. Besides his activities with the Czech String Trio, he is a member of the Vaclav Dvorak Quartet and the Czech Chamber Orchestra and he is a Professor at the Prague Conservatory. He teaches viola playing and chamber music in international master classes in Prague. He also arranges music for various ensembles, not only in the classical music but also in the jazz and pop music fields.

Marie Hixova, prizewinner of several national and international competitions, graduated at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts in the class of Prof. Sasha Vectomov. She took part in master classes in Germany and Italy under the direction of N.Shachovskaya and A.Navarra. In 1981-82 she taught at the High School for Music in Mexico City, also playing solo parts, and became a member of the Academia Yuriko Kuronuma Quartet. She has now been a member of the Czech String Trio for many years; she also performs as a soloist and is a member of the Vaclav Dvorak Quartet. She continues her teaching activities (she taught in master classes in Mexico and is an organizer of master classes for Japanese students in Prague). She is the owner of the music agency Marie Hixova Artists Management.

All the members of the Czech String Trio also play jazz and music which is „easy to listen to“ in the Prague Spirit Quintet. Taking all these ensembles together , they have recorded many CDs (including for Japanese recording companies), have played various programmes for Czech Radio and Tv, and have performed in Europe, U.S.A., Mexico, Japan, China and other countries around the world.

Repertoire:

Beethoven, Boccherini, Françaix, Giardini, Haydn, Hindemith, Kirnberger, Kodaly, Mozart, Pleyel, Reger, Roussel, Schönberg, Schubert, Tanějev, Villa-Lobos, Webern.

Czech Classicism:

Kramar-Krommer, Pichl, A.Rejcha, A.Vranicky, P.Vranicky.

20th century Czech music:

Burghauser, Felix, Istvan, Jelinek, Jirak, Klein, Krasa, Lukas, Martinu, Matys, Rut, Rychlik, Smutny, Vrana.

Winds and string trio:

J.Chr.Bach, Boccherini, Britten, Haydn, Hindemith, d’Indy, Jolivet, Mozart, Pleyel,. Rossini, Roussel.

Benda, Druzecky, Fiala, Hummel, Jirovec, Kramar-Krommer, Martinu, Masek, Mica, J.Novak, Pichl, A.Rejcha, Rössler-Roseti, Ryba, K.Stamic, Stich-Punto, Vaňhal, A.Vranický, P.Vranicky.

Piano quartets:

Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Fauré, Fibich, Chausson, d’Indy, Mozart, Schumann, Suk

Sound samples

1. Vaclav Pichl - Trio in D Major, Allegro assai

2. F.V.Kramar-Krommer - Grand Trio in F Major, Menuetto

sound excerpts are from CD Czech String Trio, Music Vars, VA 0098-2-131

Contact:

Marie Hixova

Svatoslavova 5

CZ-140 00 Praha 4

tel/fax: +420-261216825

e-mail: hixova@quick.cz