Libor Pešek
Libor Pešek was a Czech conductor known for his interpretations of orchestral works by Czech composers. In his long career, he was also a prolific recording artist and can be found on hundreds of albums.
Pešek was born in 1933 in Prague into a non-musical family. His mother encouraged his musical interests from a young age and arranged for him to have piano lessons. As a teenager he formed a jazz band with his friends from school, and he continued studying classical music in his piano lessons. Later, he attended the Academy of Musical Arts in Prague, where he studied with Karel Ančerl and Václav Smetáček. However, Pešek admitted that he was largely self-taught because his professors rarely showed up to the lessons. He also learned both the cello and trombone because he thought it was important for a conductor to experience the orchestra from different perspectives. While still a student, he worked as a rehearsal director at the Plzeň ballet company and then the Prague National Theater. After he graduated, he founded and conducted the Prague Chamber Harmony wind ensemble, and he also conducted the Sebastian Orchestra in Prague. With these ensembles, Pešek's reputation as a conductor quickly grew, which led to appointments with more prominent orchestras. He conducted the Czech Chamber Orchestra from 1970 to 1977, and he also worked with the Frysk Orkester in the Netherlands. Beginning in 1980, he conducted the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra for two seasons, and then he served as the conductor-in-residence for the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982. From then until 1990, he kept conducting the Czech PO, and performed several tours in Japan, North America, and Europe.
In 1987 Pešek began a ten-year appointment as principal conductor for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and he remained associated with the Czech PO as its principal guest conductor. He brought the RLPO international acclaim after their tour to the United States in 1992, and the corresponding series of recordings. His time in Liverpool was also a period of transformation as he quit smoking, became a vegetarian, and started practicing Buddhism. Feeling the need to reduce his professional obligations, he stepped down from his position with the RLPO in 1997 and became a lifetime conductor laureate. Pešek continued performing in a reduced capacity, and he became the chief conductor of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra in 2007. He made his final appearance with the RLPO in 2013 in a concert celebrating his 80th birthday. Pešek retired in 2019 and spent his final years enjoying nature and his beloved pet dogs. He passed away in a hospital in Prague on October 23, 2022, at 89 years old.
© RJ Lambert /TiVo
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When one Flood isn't Enough
The Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Lithuania RTV Symphony Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by Music Manager on 26 nov. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masterworks of Mozart, Vol. 12
Klassiek - Released by Black Sheep Music on 15 jun. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masterpieces, Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by Menuetto Classics on 20 mrt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 – Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" (Live)
Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra Olomouc, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by Savoy on 8 dec. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E Minor Op. 95/ B. 178 "From The New World"
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by Red Note OMP on 17 mei 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masterpieces - Grieg: Peer Gynt, Suite No. 2, Op. 55
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by Menuetto Classics on 11 mei 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik
Slowakische Staatsphilharmonie, Camerata Labacensis, Libor Pešek, Kurt Redel, Joze Falout
Symfonische muziek - Released by Bella Musica Edition on 1 jan. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chopin: Klavierkonzert No. 1
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Symfonische muziek - Released by Bella Musica Edition on 1 jan. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wagner: Lohengrin: Act III: Prelude (Digitally Remastered)
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Opera - Released by EMG Classical on 16 okt. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masterpieces, Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor"
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek, Peter Toperczer
Klassiek - Released by Menuetto Classics on 20 mrt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Serenade No.13 in G major K. 525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik"
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by Red Note OMP on 17 mei 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" & No. 7
Libor Pešek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Klassiek - Released by Denon on 1 jan. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chopin: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11 (Digitally Remastered)
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek, Ida Czernecka
Klassiek - Released by EMG Classical on 9 mei 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), WWV 63: Overture [Digitally Remastered]
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Opera - Released by EMG Classical on 23 okt. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (The Master-Singers of Nuremberg): Overture [Digitally Remastered]
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Opera - Released by EMG Classical on 16 okt. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in G Major, Op. 55 (Digitally Remastered)
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by EMG Classical on 21 aug. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 (Digitally Remastered)
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek
Klassiek - Released by EMG Classical on 14 aug. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for Piano and Orchestra in G Minor, Op. 43 (Digitally Remastered)
Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Libor Pešek, Peter Toperczer
Klassiek - Released by EMG Classical on 9 dec. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 “Pastorale” (Digitally Remastered)
Klassiek - Released by EMG Classical on 1 mrt. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tchaikovsky Concerto for Piano No. 1 & 2
Klassiek - Released by Best Buy Classical on 4 apr. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chopin: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1
Klassiek - Released by Best Buy Classical on 4 apr. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo