JIŘÍ VODIČKA – VIOLINO SOLO

At the age of 20, Jiří Vodička won the European round of the Young Concert Artists competition; a year later he was runner-up at the final in New York. He is a soloist of the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and collaborates with other prominent orchestras (the Prague Philharmonia, Prague Symphony Orchestra, etc.) and renowned conductors (Bělohlávek, Hrůša, Netopil, Förster). In 2012 he joined the celebrated Smetana Trio. Still only 26, he is one of the most distinguished young violinists on both a Czech and international scale. Choosing a solo violin virtuoso repertoire for one’s debut album (SU 4175–2) requires a fair amount of audacity and, above all, brilliant technique and musicality. Yet Vodička is a truly phenomenal musician in his own right – when listening to his take on Paganini, you have the feeling that it is the easiest thing in the world. Amidst the illustrious company of Paganini, Kreisler, Ysaÿe, Ernst and Bach, he moves with the utmost lightness and charm. Upon the release of his debut album, we asked the artist a few questions.

How did you prepare for the recording of your debut disc?

Two years ago, I began giving thought to my first album, specifically the repertoire I would record. With regard to the fact that everywhere around us there are recordings of the same pieces and listeners can choose from many performers, I wanted to come up with something that would be somewhat different and classical at the same time. And since technically challenging solo compositions have always been among my favourites, I decided that such pieces would be at the centre of my first CD. I also selected a repertoire ranging from Baroque to contemporary music. Owing to the pieces’ demanding nature, I prepared myself for the recording over several months, gradually completing the tracklist.

Did anything surprise you during the work at the studio?

The album’s recording ran in three blocks. But I will for ever remember the second of April 2014, the final day of recording. My daughter Michaela was born in the morning and I went straight from the delivery room to the studio to record perhaps the most difficult, and new to me, composition of the entire album – H. W. Ernst’s Der Erlkönig. Owing to its being highly challenging and having a tragic content, the recording director, Milan Puklický, recommended that I record the piece on another day, but such was my sheer euphoria that I insisted on doing it there and then. The listener may feel the inner energy from the recording on my new album.

Thanks to Gidon Kremer’s invitation to his Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus, in 2011 you were afforded the opportunity to work with a number of stellar musicians. How do you recall the time?

I fondly recall the concerts at Lockenhaus. Gidon Kremer is not only a fantastic violinist, he is an amazing person as well. He summoned to his festival the world’s top young musicians, who in various groupings gave concerts over a fortnight. It was my great honour to join them on the stage. I performed with Vilde Frang, Nicolas Altstaedt, Michael Barenboim and many other superlative musicians.

Since 2012 you have been a member of the feted Smetana Trio. What does this collaboration mean for you?

In addition to pursuing a soloist career, I have always been keen on chamber music too. I gave concerts with Czech and foreign artists not only at Gidon Kremer’s festival but also much earlier. Performing with the Smetana Trio gives me great joy and I think that this experience also reflects at my solo concerts. We have recently released our first album made together, and I am really pleased with it.

Do you intend to give solo concerts in connection with the release of the debut solo album?

In the wake of the release of my solo disc, concerts with a solo programme are under preparation. At the present time, I am getting ready for tours of the USA, the UK and concerts in Bangkok. A Czech audience will be able to see me at a concert in Opava in November. Next year, I am scheduled to visit Japan, China and Brazil, and to perform alongside the pianist Ang Li at several concerts in the Czech Republic and the USA. My current calendar and news can be found at www.jirivodicka.cz.