Prague Conservatory Appoints New Director

Czech pianist Ivo Kahánek will step into the role

The Prague Conservatory recently announced that the Czech pianist Ivo Kahánek will serve as its new Director.

The appointment was made by the Prague City Council, with supporting input from representatives of the Department of Education, the Czech School Inspectorate, the Pedagogical and Psychological Counseling Center, the Municipality, and representatives of the conservatory itself.

A laureate of competitions including the Prague Spring, Concurs Internacional de Música Maria Canals Barcelona, Vendôme Prize Wien, and Fryderyk Chopin Competition Marienbad, Kahánek has appeared as a soloist with the BBC Symphony, Berliner Philharmoniker, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Wiener Symphoniker, WDR Sinfonieorchester, and Zürcher Kammerorchester.

His chamber music partners have included the violinist Daniel Hope, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and violist Paul Neubauer, as well as the Tetzlaff and Pavel Haas quartets.

Among Kahánek's prominent students are Matouš Zukal (laureate of the Prague Spring International Music Competition), pianist and composer Tomáš Kačo, and emerging pianists such as Pavol Praženica and Nora Lubbadová.

"It is a great honor for me to take over the leadership of an institution that has shaped generations of outstanding musicians," Kahánek said. "My goal is to combine the rich tradition of the Conservatoire with modern approaches to music education and to strengthen its position on the international stage."

"The main vision is to strengthen the Prague Conservatoire as a center of professional music education and a bridge between primary art schools and the university, where the main part of the top educational work needs to be done, not only for future performers but also for young teachers."

"In my daily work, I am also concerned that the Prague Conservatory should have the friendly and creative atmosphere and freedom necessary for the development of any art. I perceive the opportunity to lead this renowned institution as a great challenge and I will try to put all the experience I have gained as a performer and teacher into its fulfillment."