Ladislav Holásek

Prof. Mgr. Ladislav Holásek (December 23. 1929) is conductor – choirmaster whose name is virtually inseparable from history of renowned vocal bodies and exceptional interpretation expertise and extensive repertoire range.   After graduation at the Conservatory in Bratislava, he continued his piano studies at the newly founded Academy of Arts in Bratislava under the guidance of professor Frico Kafenda and later under professor Štefan Németh – Šamorínsky. After successful graduation, Ladislav Holásek became an assistant conductor in the Mixed Choir of the Czechoslovak Radio in Bratislava. The choir later merged with the Slovak Philharmonic Choir where Mr. Holásek continued to work. The position of assistant conductor as well as direct confrontation with undertaking of a conductor became key factors for Ladislav Holásek and led him to conducting. Conducting had later became a cornerstone of his artistic activities. This conviction led him to expand his education (1963 – 1967) at the Academy of Arts majoring in choir and orchestra conductorship under the guidance of Ľudovít Rajter.   A special chapter in artistic pursuit of L. Holásek represents a period (1964 – 1989) with chamber vocal ensemble the Slovak Madrigals. Considering its small composition, the ensemble focused on works of renaissance, baroque, and romantic authors. Ladislav Holásek also turned his attention to study of old Slovak music. In cooperation with musicologists, he discovered several unknown works. These pieces were later introduced by the choir to the public audience. Professor Holásek was very impressed with 20th century vocal chamber music and incorporated it into the choir repertoire. Mr. Holásek’s focus and diligence inspired Slovak composers in creating sophisticated composition. Some of them were written especially for the choir performed as original pieces of work. Along with á cappella works, the madrigals interpreted pieces with chamber orchestra under the name Collegium Musicum Bratislava. This created an opportunity to expand premiere introduction of original Slovak compositions.   Another area of activity for Ladislav Holásek was Opera of the Slovak National Theatre. Between 1969 – 1992 Mr. Holásek held a position of the head choirmaster. With this body, he performed more than 80 opera works from foreign and Slovak authors. Ladislav Holásek was also at the foundation of successful External Choir of the Slovak National Theatre. Its original name was Studio SND and it is performing until present.   In 1977 Ladislav Holásek took over the conductorship of the Bratislava City Choir succeeding Anton Kállay (1971 – 1976) and Valentin Iljin (1976 – 1977). Since then Prof. Mgr. Ladislav Holásek has been the choir’s conductor and art director. He significantly expanded the choir repertoire including Slovak and foreign vocal- instrumental, and á cappella works of various periods especially oratorios, masses and cantatas and operas. Under his leadership the choir recorded in Slovak Radio and Slovak Television tens á cappella works, both from Slovak and foreign authors. In cooperation with prominent Slovak and foreign conductors professor Holásek introduced more than 130 vocal-instrumental pieces in many European countries. In recognition of his outstanding artistic mastery and the choir success at international competitions, the Bratislava City Choir ranks the finest representative of the choir community not only in Slovakia but also on the European scene.   In addition to his artistic pursuits, Ladislav Holásek has also devoted himself to pedagogic work. In 1958 – 1961 he externally taught piano at the Faculty of Philosophy, Comenius University and at the School of Pedagogy in Bratislava. At the Conservatory in Bratislava (1971 – 1973) he was also an external lecturer for choir singing. In 1974 he began to teach externally at the Academy of Arts in the Department of Conducting and Composition. There he passed on his expertise in conducting and hearing analysis. And finally at the Pedagogic Faculty of Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (1992 – 1994), professor Holásek taught and was in charge of the Girl Academic Choir.   On the Slovak art scene Ladislav Holásek has been a prominent name for decades. During all those years, he always tried to achieve precise interpretation, which along with high technical mastery has been appreciated not only by audiences, but the critics as well. For his artistic contribution, Ladislav Holásek has received many awards.