Jozef Luptak

Cello

Jozef Lupták is currently one of the most prominent musicians in Slovak music and arts. A graduate of the Performing Arts College (VŠMU) in Bratislava and the Royal Academy of Music in London (R. Cohen) and has twice been granted the "Award of the Culture Act". In addition to this he holds the "Award of the Minister of Culture" and nominated for the "Cristal Wing Award" in Slovakia. The winner of the "Cello Competition of Slovak Conservatories" in 1986, Jozef was later awarded the "Jury Prize" at the Murcia Cello Competition in Spain, the "BANFF Centre Long Term Residency Scholarship", the "May Mukle Cello Prize" at the Royal Academy of Music in London and in 2009, the “Frico Kafenda Award”. Highlights from 2009 – 2012 were recitals in the USA, performing during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in the Slovak Repre House, concerts at festivals in Charleston (with Robert Cohen) and Arcus Temporum in Pannonhalma (with Gija Kancheli and Gidon Kremer) and world premiers of cello concertos by Peter Machajdík (BHS) Jevgeni Irshai (Convergence Festival) and Daniel Matej (with Slovak Chamber Orchestra). Currently Jozef is preparing as founder and director for the 13th year of the International Festival of Chamber Music, “Convergence”, has a busy European concert programme and is preparing several new Slovak Albums. Recent releases include "Chassidic Songs" with Bratislava Rabbi Baruch Myers, and a CD/DVD festival project with authentic gypsy singers from East Slovakia, called “After Phurikane”. In March 2010 he was awarded a special prize by the Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic for his success as a both a cellist and artistic director and founder of acclaimed international chamber music festival, Konvergencie/Convergence. From its first year in 2000, the festival has received fantastic reviews in musical criticism as well as from the general public, and is marked by a very special quality and atmosphere. In 2003 was Jozef also appointed as an artistic director for the 7th

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International Festival of Contemporary Music Melos-Ethos in Bratislava. His path as a concert soloist have brought him to play with conductors as Andrew Parrott, Jiří Bělohlávek, Leoš Svárovský, Daniel Gazon, Domonkos Héja, Andrew Mogrelia among others and he plays regularly with chamber music partners leonora Škutová, Igor Karško, Ronald Šebesta, as well as with Robert Cohen, Vladimir Mendelsson , Beny Schmid, Rena Sharon, Peter Mikuláš, Mark Gothoni and other friends An exceptionally versatile musician, Jozef often collaborates with Slovak rock legendary pianist/composer and Improvizer Marián Varga and in the last few years has explored his special interests with projects of multicultural and multiethnical content – "After Phurikane" and "Chassidic Songs". Part of Jozef‘s search for his own musical expression is active communication and collaboration with contemporary composers (Tenney, Krauze, Godár, Zagar, Irshai, Matej, Ayres, Wolff, Jeffery, Machajdík etc) culminating in a number of world premièred compositions and recordings. His discography includes the World Premiere CD of Vladimír Godár´s “Music for Cello”, 2CDs of complete Bach Solo Cello Suites (first slovak recording) as well as his own project CELLO - recording of five new compositions inspired by Bach´s 1st Suite, including his unique speciality – improvisations using cello with his own voice and rhythmic vocalisations (beatbox) at the same time. His most recent solo release is a live recording from his London Debut concert in St.John’s Smith Square and he is preparing an album of his concurrent cello, rhythmic and vocal improvisations. Jozef Lupták is married to Katarina, an architect. They live in Bratislava with their three children, Jonathan, Elisha and Leo.

CELLO PERFORMED ON / OWNED

Emanuel Homolka Welvarsky, 1862 – since 2010 “Carl Zach”, 1896 in Vienna – since 1998 Bohumil Buček op.32 - 1945 - since 1985

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Chassidic Songs

Jewish Music with Rabbi Baruch Myers Konvergencie 2010

After Phurikane -

Music Project with Roma Singers, CD/DVD Zudro 2010

Jozef Luptak : Cello Live Recital in London,

St.John’s Smith Square Nora Skuta,piano, Robert Cohen, cello

CELLO

Bach, Jeffery, Burgr, Iršai, Zagar, Wolff, Improvisations

MI 2001

Johann Sebastian Bach – Complete Suites for Solo Cello –BWV 1007-1012

Porta Libri, 2001 FIRST COMPLETE SLOVAK RECORDING

Music For Cello – Vladimír Godár

Slovart Music 99

Chamber Music of Vladimír Godár Albrecht Quartet, Nora Skuta,

Slovart Music 96

Slovak Composers (Matej, Zagar, Burlas) Veni ensemblom |Slov.hudobný fond/92

Musica/96

Philip Ratliff – String Quartett Banff Centre Record Label 94

Jozef Luptak - Cello

Brahms, Hindermith, Burlas- Sonate (pianist,Nora Skuta) OPUS production 94

Award of the Culture Act in Music project After Phurikane, Slovakia, 2010 & 2011

Nomination for the Cristal Wing Award

Slovakia 2010

Award of Minister of Culture, Slovak Republic, successful artist and Festival Convergence 2009

Frico Kafenda Award

2009

May Mukle Cello Prize at Royal Academy of Music in London

Rotary Foundation - “Ambassadorial”

Scholarship for studies at Royal Academy of Music in London

Scholarships for “Long-term residency” in

Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada1994

International Cello Competition,

Second prize Liezen, Austria1994

International Competition of Young Cellist -

Jury Prize in Murcia, Spain1989

First prize –Cello Competition of Slovak Conservatories1986

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Aperta Trio Jozef Lupták | cello

Ronald Šebesta | clarinet Nora Skuta | piano

Aperta trio is prominent ensemble from Slovakia, who have performed together for more than a decade in various formations (Opera Aperta Ensemble, Veni Ensemble etc) but their core is always the trio with clarinet.

Bartok - Dohnanyi Piano Quintets from the era of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, which are very rarely performed. The ensemble consists of prominent Slovak musicians based in Innsbruck, Salzburg, Luzern, and Bratislava. Programmed for Festival Konvergencie/Convergence

From Song to Tango Mendelsshon – Piazzola Songs without words, Piano trio and 5 Tangos Sensatione on Bandoneon . Leading Slovak musicians programmed at Festival Konvergencie.

Cello Colosseum 8 prominent cellists from Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Czech republic led by Jozef Lupták. This project was created in 2006 and with big respons from the audience was repeated several times at festivals in Slovakia and also abroad in neighborhood countries (Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic).

Chassidic Songs Rabbi Baruch Myers – piano and voice

Jozef Lupták – cello Miloš Valent – violin, viola Boris Lenko – accordion

“Chassidic Songs of Rabbi Baruch Myers and his exclusive music partners are the way from very old to bran new, from folk music to jazz, from deep sacred to everyday secular. From that way we can see peaceful, almost romantic country, but also tense abysses. We are resting on the peaks of the mountains, escaping from death valleys. It is beatiful and adventurous way.”

After Phurikane The project is lead by professional artists Jozef Lupták on cello and Boris Lenko on accordion determining arrangements and completed with the percussions of the African drummer Thierry Ebam and incredibly emotional singing of six gypsy singers (two of them blind and confined to wheelchairs) from the poorest East Slovakia gypsy villages. The music is a startling communication of an exceptionally powerful artform.

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Solo Cello repertoire

   J.S.Bach Suites BWV 1007-1012 J.Beneš Sonata per violoncello solo E.Bloch Suite No. 1 L.Burgr From any bars, 2000 * V.Godár O, Crux, meditation for cello ,1999 dedicated to Jozef Lupták) P.Hindemith Sonata Op.25, No. 3 * E.Iršai Sonata corta, 2000 * H.Jeffery For the Dead, 1997 H.Jeffery Still moving, 2000 * G.Ligeti Sonata (47-53) W.Lutosławski Sacher Variations L.Rajter Fantasy on two themes from “Tiefland“ A.Salinnen Elegy Christian Wolff Cello Suite Variation * I.Zeljenka Three Monologues P.Zagar Introduction and Prelude, 2000 dedicated to Jozef Lupták Project CELLO (CD) in preparation: G.Crumb Sonata Z.Kodály Sonata Op. 8  Slovak Premiere’s A.Pärt Fratres (for cello and piano) A.Pärt piegel im spiegel V.Godár Barcarolle for cello and orchestra* G.Ustvolskaya Grand Duet B.Spassov Ode for cello solo

Canadian & British Premiere´s

V.Godár Sonata in Memoriam Viktor Schklovsky J.Beneš Sonata per violoncello solo  

World Premiered Pieces M.Burlas Agony for Cello and Piano, 1994 * written for Jozef Luptá V.Godár Emmeleia for cello and piano, 1997 * H.Jeffery For the Dead, 1997 written for Jozef Lupták P.Zagar Trio for violin, cello & piano, 1998 * Jozef Sixta Recitativo for cello solo, 1998 V.Godár O,Crux, meditation for cello solo, 1999 written and dedicated to Jozef Lupták Peter Zagar Rondo for cello and orchestra L.Burgr From any bars, 2000 * V.Godár O, Crux, meditation for cello, 1999 dedicated to Jozef Lupták E.Iršai Sonata corta (2000) * H.Jeffery Still moving (2000) * Christian Wolff Cello Suite Variation *) P.Zagar Introduction and Prelude (2000) dedicated to Jozef Lupták

* Recorded on CD

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Repertoire l ist for cel lo and orchestra

E.Bloch Suite “From Jewish Life“ (string orchestra) Shelomo, for cello and orch L.van Beethoven Tripple Concerto in Cmajor, Op. 56 J.Brahms Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102 L.Boccherini Concerto in B flat major

Concerto in D major F.Couperin Pieces en Concert

E.Denisov Tod ist ein langer schlaf, for cello & chamber orchestra G.Donizzetti Concerto for violin, cello and orchestra A.Dvořák Concerto in B minor, Op.104 E.Elgar Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 V.Godar Barcarolle for Cello and Orchestra Slovak premiere 10/1997 at BHS J.Haydn Concerto in D major, Hob 7b, No.1 Concerto in C major Jevgenij Irshai Uangamizi, for violin, cello and orchestra

(Premiered in Bratislava and St.Petersburg) Jevgenij Irshai Penetration, for cello and string orchestra,

(Premiered at Festival Convergence) W. Lutoslawski Concerto for cello and orchestra S.Prokofiev Concertino, Op. 132 P.I.Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations, Op. 33 Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62 D.Shostakovich Concerto No.1, Op. 107 Concerto No.2, Op. 126 R.Schumann Concerto in A minor, Op. C.Saint-Saens Concerto in A minor, Op. 33 Peter Zagar Rondo and Allegro (Concerto)

For cello and orchestra Written for Jozef Lupták – premiered at Melos- Etos festival 2001, recorded for Slovak Radio

Repertoire Cello and Piano

Sonatas L.van Beethoven Sonata in A major, Op. 69 Sonata in C major, Op. 102 No. 1 Sonata in D major, Op. 102 No. 2 J.Brahms Sonata in E minor, Op. 38 Sonata in F major, Op. 99 * C.Debussy Sonata G.Fauré Sonata Op. 117, No.2 C.Franck Sonata in A major F.Francouer Sonata in E major V.Godár Sonata in Memoriam Viktor Schklovski * S.Prokofiev Sonata in C major, Op. 119 A.Schnittke Sonata F.Schubert Arpeggione Sonata D.Shostakovich Sonata Op. 40 G.Ustvolskaya Grand Duet I.Stravinski Italian suite M.Burlas Agony * A.Dvořák Klid and Rondo G.Fauré Concert Pieces (Elegy) V.Godár Emmeleia* L.Janáček Pohádka (Fairy Tale) L.Jovanovič Old Fashioned Style B.Martinů Variations On One Slovak Theme F.Mendelsohn - B. Song without words N.Paganini Variations on one string “Mozes“ A.Pärt Fratres, Spiegel im Spiegel I.Stravinski Russian Maiden´s Song R.Schumann Fantasy Pieces 5 Stucke im Volskton

* Recorded on CD

“…Jozef Luptak is a truly 21st century artist. He is multi-talented: an exceptional and

eloquent cellist, a natural communicator - both verbally and through music in traditional,

contemporary and improvised forms - and an inspired ‘organiser’, bringing wide ranging

arts to audiences in innovative and uplifting ways. Residing within Jozef’s creativeness is

a warm and embracing personality and I immensely enjoy spending time with him. It has

also been my privilege to work with Jozef on many occasions over the years and to watch

his fascinating development. ”Robert Cohen (U.K.), 2008

International concert cellist, cello professor in London and Lugano, member of Fine arts

Quartett

“ For years I have had the privilege to make

music with Jozef. Incredible stylistic range

(classical, avantguarde , improvised music)

excellent control and high class performances ,

highest intellectual and instrumental skills ,

creative mind, character , courage , and last

but by no means least an exceptional cellist. He

deserves his place in the world of cello elite.“

Vladimir Mendelssohn (NL), 2008

International concert artist, professor at Hague

and Frankfurt, Artistic Director of Kuhmo Festival

in Finland

JOZEF LUPTÁK - has a broad set of artistic skills with a mature musical intellect,

exquisitely refined feel for style, technical virtuosity and an ability to capture the

message of an interpreted piece of music with both detachment and conviction. Critics

appreciate his musicality, ability to be creative on stage and his enthusiastic and

emotionally strong performance always full of new ideas. (Music Centre Slovakia, 2006)

...Lupták‘s Haydn Concerto was technically perfect, temperamental and warm in

expression. He is combination of thoughtfull performer and temperamental and expressive

in one person . The result on stage was fantastic. Especially in slow mouvement, Luptak´s

master art of making music without any pathetic romanticising...

Hudební Rozhledy,2002 (Czech Republic)

”... Luptak´s Brahms was performed with big drive and lyrical singing at ones. His sound

was equal to a fully open grand piano. The space of a concert hall was full of music. It was

performance Par Excellence! ...” Hudobný život, 98(Slovakia)

” He is great cellist with an exceptional sense for music and ability to perform on the

stage....” Daniil Shafran, 95 (Russia)

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MUSIC EDUCATION

Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Bratislava 2005 – 2008 (Music Doctorate, ArtD) Royal Academy of Music, London 1996-97(postgraduate) Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Bratislava 1990-94 Music Conservatory Bratislava 1984-90 Basic Artistic School 1976-84 DIPLOMAS

Diploma of Postgraduate Studies with Merit (1997- Royal Academy of Music) Diploma with Merit (1994- Academy of Music and Dramat ic Arts, Brat islava ) Absolutory with Directors for excellent quali ty in cello performance (1990 – Music Conservatory) CELLO TEACHERS AND PROFESSORS

Robert Cohen 1994-98 Karol Filipovič 1984-90 Jozef Podhoránsky 1990-94 Alica Gerhardtová 1976-84 Started to Play at the age of 5 OTHER STUDIES

Nottingham Trent University - Jan-Mar1993 The Banff Centre for the Arts - Sept-Dec 1994, Nov 95 COMPOSERS in act ive cooperat ion with: Gija Kancheli, Sofia Gubaidulina, Vladimír Godár, Peter Zagar, Jevgenij Irshai, Daniel Matej, Martin Burlas, Juraj Beneš, Hilary Jeffery, Ljiljana Jovanovič, Phillip Ratliff, James Tenney,  

SELECTED ORCHESTRAS

State Philharmonic Orch. Brno (Now Janaček Phil. Brno) Kapella of St.Petersburg Prague Chamber Philharmony Collegium of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Orch. of Memphis Symphony Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Slovak Sinfonietta Zilina State Philharmonic orchestra Kosice, Chamber Soloists Bratislava Capella Istropolitana Slovak Chamber Orchestra Bohdan Warchal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra Bratislava SELECTED CONDUCTORS

Andrew PARROTT (UK) Jiří BĚLOHLÁVEK (Czech Rep) Leoš SVÁROVSKY (Czech Rep) Domonkos HÉJA (Hungary) Robert COHEN (UK) Alexander CHERNUSHENKO (Russia) Ivan ANGUELOV (Bulgaria) Olivier GRANGEAN(France) Andrew MOGRELIA (UK) JoAnn FALLETTE (USA) Bohdan WARCHAL (Slovakia) Ondrej LENÁRD (Slovakia) Stanislav MACURA (Czech Rep) Tomáš KOUTNÍK (Czech Rep) Anton POPOVIČ (Slovakia) Rastislav ŠTÚR (Slovakia) Branislav KOSTKA (Slovakia)  

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