The ensemble’s last remaining founder member has spent 54 years performing with the quartet
The Czech violist Josef Klusoň has retired after more than 50 years performing with the Pražák Quartet. The 73-year-old gave his last performance with the group on 15 July in Uzes, France.
Klusoň studied the viola at the Prague Conservatory, in the class of Vlach Quartet violist Josef Koďousek. While still a student, he co-founded the Pražák Quartet in 1972 with violinist Václav Remeš and cellist Josef Pražák. During his time with the ensemble, it has recorded extensively for Praga Digitals, releasing 50 albums, several receiving awards.
In addition, Klusoň has appeared with several other chamber music ensembles and given masterclasses, most recently at the CME in Brussels, Musica Mundi, ProQuartet and Sommerakademie Wien. He has recorded the complete viola sonatas of Reger, Martinů and Brahms for Radio Prague and Harmonia Mundi, and has been a jury member at several major string quartet competitions.
The quartet has not yet settled on Klusoň’s permanent successor and is currently trialling new players. In its next concerts, the quartet will be joined by Eva Krestová, principal violist of the Czech Philharmonic.
No comments yet