This season marks Lukáš Vasilek’s 17th as the Prague Philharmonic Choir (PPC)’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. Whether exploring acapella repertoire or larger cantatas and oratorios with instruments, Vasilek brings his innate knowledge and understanding of choral music to everything he does. Together with the PPC, he regularly collaborates with leading Czech and international orchestras and conductors.
Vasilek has won particular recognition with the PPC for their outstanding interpretations of the greatest choral works by Mahler, Dvořák and Janáček. Highlights include Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater. Vasilek is also no stranger to less conventional programming and has also presented jazz and spirituals with the PPC.
Lukáš Vasilek studied conducting at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and musicology at Charles University. He sometimes returns to his orchestral conducting roots when collaborating with the Prague Philharmonia in their joint choir cycle concerts with the PPC, a relationship they’ve enjoyed for four years now. He has also led the musicians of the Czech Philharmonic and Kyiv Symphony Orchestra.
Vasilek’s first experience of choral singing dates back to his time as a member of the boys’ choir Boni pueri. His next artistic steps led him to becoming the Choirmaster of the Foerster Chamber Choir and the Prague National Theatre Choir. In 2022, he was a guest of the French ensemble Accentus. In addition to the PPC, he works with the vocal ensemble Martinů Voices, which he founded in 2010, focusing on chamber works from the 19th to 21th centuries. Vasilek also teaches choir conducting at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.
Lukáš Vasilek’s choral and orchestral conducting can be heard on numerous discs from labels such as Decca Classics and Supraphon. Most recently, his recording focus on the works of Bohuslav Martinů have been recognized internationally with awards from Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and Diapason.
Photogallery
+2 photo
