Interview with Václav Hudeček

When did you begin studying Khachaturyan's opus?

I started studying this beautiful concerto already in my youth, but I "completed" it just a few years ago.

Have you ever had the chance of speaking with David Oistrakh about it?

Unfortunately, I never managed to get to David Oistrakh to discuss this piece of work. His wonderful recording is well known to me. I also know Leonid Kogan's film, where the composer conducts his own work. Finally, I have seen the fascinating live recording of Julian Sitkovecky's performance of it.

In what way has Khachaturyan's concerto impressed you?

The music is bewitching and full of passion, oriental rhythms, and supernal themes. I knew Aram Khachaturyan personally, and at our last meeting I promised him that I would finish studying his concerto. This meeting took place in a Moscow hospital where Aram had undergone an operation, and David was there recovering from his last heart attack. Unfortunately, both passed away before having a chance to hear my rendering of it.

Today you will be performing this work under the direction of conductor Jiří Malát. Have you worked with him before? How long have you known each other?

Jirka and I have been friends since our conservatory years and I respect him a great deal. He is a great artist and a good human being. In fact, I finally completed my study of Khachaturyan's concerto in my "old age" thanks to him. He put me down for a season of the Plzeň Philharmonic, of which he was the head at the time, and immediately gave me a contract to sign, so I had no choice but to set about working on the concerto. Since then, it has become one of my all time favourite pieces, and I am grateful for Jirka's impetus. We played together in Germany as well, and I am looking forward to working with Jirka again, and not just on this performance with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra.

What else does the current season have in store for you?

In addition to some trips abroad - which will take me to Hungary, Germany, Turkey and Belgium, among other places - I am preparing for a traditional, pre-Christmas tournament with the winner of this year's Luhočovice Academy. We are also continuing with a series of concerts - Music Holidays [Svátky hudby] - in the Church of Saints Simon and Jude.

You mentioned your academy. How are the violin courses in Luhačovice doing? What were your feelings at the end of the 11th year?

This year's "Academy" - the 11th in Luhačovice but 13th overall - was extraordinary. In conjunction with the courses, we held the "Music Holidays in Luhačovice" for the second year in a row. The Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic from Zlín played for the first time at the opening concert, and all seven concerts were sold out. One evening was broadcast live on TV Nova, another was recorded. Also for the first time, an excellent chamber orchestra - Barocco sempre giovane, with whom we have already recorded our first CD - accompanied one student concert. I also managed to get Prof. Petr Adamec and Jaroslava Pěchovcovká - true elite pianists - to work with us.

It appears that course-related activities are ever expanding. Can we expect anything new in the near future?

I have already mentioned the CD. We are getting ready to publish our own DVD. I don't know if it will be a montage of the best performance or a recording of this year's concert in Luhačovice entitled "Returns" ["Návraty"]. Traditionally, previous winners of the Academy perform there. This year we invited Josef Špaček and the Matěják siblings to perform together with the Barocco Sempre Giovane Orchestra and organist Pavel Svoboda. It took place in a church and the performers were magnificent. We'll see...

I hear that your wife helps you with organising the courses. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working in tandem with your spouse?

My wife is an immensely musical person. She herself used to play piano in her youth, and so she is "acquainted" with music. She is my regular advisor and gives students self confidence when they begin to doubt themselves before a concert. So there are no pitfalls - we work wonderfully together. What is more, everything "non-musical" is organised by our excellent and dependable director - Mirka Krumpolcová from Zlín.

In conclusion, back to your solo efforts: How many concerts do you give a year?

Between eighty and a hundred and twenty per year, depending on the season and type of concert.

And which one would you most like to invite our audience to?

Of course to the Music Holidays concert at the Church of Saints Simon and Jude. But also to all the rest.