Kathedraalfestival Brugge - Concert Ondřej Vrabec, horn and Michaela Káčerková, organ (CZ)

Ondřej Vrabec (1979) is an extraordinary figure in the Czech music world. After more than two decades, he successfully continues his artistic career as an award-winning conductor, experienced solo horn player with the Tsjechische Filharmonie, sought-after chamber musician, respected horn teacher at the Academy of Uitvoerende Kunsten in Prague, and chief conductor of the Carlsbad Symfonieorkest. He graduated from the Conservatorium van Praag (under the guidance of Prof. B. Tylšar, Prof. V. Válek, Prof. H. Farkač, Prof. M. Němcová, and Prof. M. Košler) and the Academy of Uitvoerende Kunsten in Prague (under the guidance of Prof. R. Eliška, Prof. J. Bělohlávek, and Prof. F. Vajnar). He supplemented his studies with numerous masterclasses (e.g., London Master Classes, Hornclass, the French-Tsjechische Muziekacademie). The most valuable impulse that shaped his artistic approach was his long-term collaboration with the top of the international wind school (S. Azzolini, M. Bourgue), while in the field of conducting he enjoyed artistic support from important international conductors (Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Benjamin Zander, Jiří Bělohlávek, etc.). Ondřej Vrabec achieved the title of absolute winner of the Conservatory Competition in Ostrava and also won various other laureate titles as a chamber musician (Concertino Praga, Chomutov, the Mozart Society competition, etc.). He won the 2nd prize and a special prize during the 1st Internationale Hans von Bülow Dirigentencompetitie in 2021 and the 3rd prize during the 1st Internationale Arthur Nikisch Dirigentencompetitie in 2020. At the international conducting competitions Prague Spring 2007 and Tokyo 2015, he received honorable mentions from the juries. Even before he took his final exam at the age of 17, he was first horn player in the orchestra of the Tsjechische Filharmonie. Michaela Káčerková studied organ at the Conservatorium van Praag (Jan Hora) and subsequently at the Academy of Uitvoerende Kunsten in Prague (Jaroslav Tůma). She then continued her education with masterclasses at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy in Leipzig (organ with Stefan Engels and harpsichord with Tobias Schade). During her studies, she participated in various masterclasses led by prominent teachers (Harald Vogel, Martin Sander, Lorenzo Ghielmi, Olivier Latry, Ludger Lohmann) and won prizes at national and international competitions for performing musicians. Currently, she combines her career as a solo concert soloist with collaborations with numerous other soloists, orchestras, and baroque music ensembles (Praags Radio Symfonieorkest, Orchestra of the Nationaal Theater in Prague, Capella Regia Praag, Symfonieorkest van Karlovy Vary, and others). Her repertoire includes music from all style periods, from the Renaissance to contemporary pieces. She performs regularly in concert productions in the Czech Republic and other European countries, as well as in the US and Japan. Since 2014, she has been the director of the JCF Fischer International Music Festival . Currently, she is preparing the release of a CD series titled " Historical organ in Carlsbad ".