Czech conductor Libor Pešek, greatest recognized for his ten-year stint as principal conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO), died yesterday on the age of 89.
Pešek was principal conductor of the RLPO from 1987 to 1997, earlier than changing into conductor laureate. On the time of his demise he was additionally principal visitor conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra.
Pešek conducts Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2014
Born in Prague in June 1933, he studied conducting, piano, cello and trombone on the metropolis’s Academy of Performing Arts, and counted amongst his academics the conductors Václav Smetáček and Karel Ančerl.
Along with his function in Liverpool, he was chief conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic from 1981 to 1982, and from 1982 to 1990 was conductor-in-residence of the Czech Philharmonic. He additionally held the put up of chief conductor of the Czech Nationwide Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2019.
Throughout a 70-year profession wherein he toured Europe, America and Asia, he championed the music of his homeland and significantly the works of lesser-known composers similar to Josef Suk and Vítězslav Novák.
RLPO creative planning director Sandra Parr shared her recollections:
‘Doubtless he lifted the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to worldwide heights while principal conductor for ten seasons from 1987. I keep in mind clearly my first tour with the Orchestra in October 1988, when he took the Orchestra to Prague and to cite him, “to point out off his new love” to his residence metropolis. Taking an orchestra pre-Velvet Revolution was no straightforward process however his willpower gained, and it was a terrific success. From there the completely happy relationship between Libor and Liverpool grew.
‘His philosophy for all times was principally to get pleasure from it and share that enjoyment with mates. He addressed everybody as colleague in a most heat, pleasant manner that everybody who met him favored him instantly… The twinkle in his eye, his beneficiant friendship and heartfelt music making might be missed by 1000’s – particularly his mates again in Liverpool.’
In March 1996 Queen Elizabeth II made Pešek a Knight of the British Empire, and in 1997, he was awarded the First Grade of Czech Medal of Advantage and an honorary fellowship from the College of Central Lancashire.
