Jiří Stárek

Jiří Stárek (1928–2011) was a distinguished Czech conductor and music educator known for his significant contributions to Czech musical life, especially through his work with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. Born in Mocovice on March 25, 1928, Stárek studied at the Prague Academy of Music, graduating in 1950. He began his professional conducting career in the early 1950s, joining Czech Radio in Prague in 1953. Over the next decades, he held prominent positions including chief conductor of the Radio Symphony Orchestra and artistic roles with various ensembles such as the Collegium Musicum Pragense. His international career flourished as well, with leadership roles at institutions like the Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt, the RIAS Sinfonietta in Berlin, and the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra in Norway. Later, in 1996, he became chief conductor of the Prague State Opera. Stárek’s guest conducting engagements spanned numerous opera companies and orchestras worldwide, marking him as a versatile and respected figure in classical music.

His career was marked by a deep connection to Czech musical traditions, including repertoire by composers like Dvořák and Janáček, as reflected in recordings of works such as Slavonic Dances and Czech opera arias. He also contributed to the advancement of orchestral standards in the Czech Republic before his death in 2011. Stárek’s legacy endures through his recordings and his impact on generations of musicians he taught and inspired.

Genres

Classical

Contemporary Classical

Chamber Music

Opera

Baroque

Romantic Music

Symphonic Music

Czech Folk

Latest Release

Railroad Rhythms: Classical Music About Trains

Jiří Stárek

Album - 14 Tracks - Released January 11, 2019