Profile

Born in the Slovak Republic. He studied at the Bratislava Conservatory with Prof. G. Vecherny and at the Prague Academy of Music with Prof. S. Vechtomov, formerly of the Czech Trio. During his studies at the Academy he was appointed first solo cellist and concertmaster of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, and since 1990 he has been principal cellist of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa. He won the first prize at the Haradets-Opava Beethoven Competition, the second prize at the Prague Spring International Music Competition and was unanimously awarded the Special Prize of the Czech and Agency of cultural affairs of Slovak Republic. He has also won top prizes at many other competitions, including the Tchaikovsky Competition. He has performed as a soloist in Europe, Canada, the USA, Asia and Japan with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra and others under the direction of Hiroyuki Iwaki, Illy Wieropravek, Zdenek Košler and Valery Gergiev. Also he has contributed as soloist in important concerts such as the OEK Asian Tour at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand and the "Japanese Culture Day" in Nanjing, China. In June 2011 he performed Martinů's Cello Concerto No. 2 for the first time in Japan, as part of the "Dream Concertos" celebrating the 20th anniversary of his visit to Japan. In June 2011, he gave the Japan premiere of Martineau's Cello Concerto No.2 and also performed Dvorak's concerto at the same time to great acclaim. He has been invited to teach at international music festivals and master classes in Canada, Europe and Japan, and is a keen and active teacher of young musicians.

　He has made many CD recordings, including the famous "Haydn Boccherini: Cello Concerto" (NAXOS) with Capella Istropolitana, with its jazz-like cadenza, which is still very popular all over the world more than 30 years after its release. Since his arrival in Japan he has released a number of solo CDs, which have been highly praised by Record Geijutsu magazine. Among them are "Kodaly, Casado, Ysaÿe: Unaccompanied Cello Works", "Melodies" (avex) and "Bach: Complete Unaccompanied Cello Suites "Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas" (PANU) was selected as a special edition by Record Geijutsu magazine.

In 2010 he was awarded the "Hiroyuki Iwaki Music Prize". In June 2012, he became the first Slovakian in Japan to be awarded the "Golden Plaque" by the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of the President of the Slovak Republic for his music and personality, which have made him many friends since his arrival in Japan, and for his many visits to the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and his encouragement of the people there. In March 2019 he was awarded the "16th Hokuriku-Chunichi Performing Arts and Culture Award" and in 2021 he became the first foreigner to be appointed as a special envoy to Kaga Yuzen.

　He has performed Bach's complete unaccompanied cello suites and Beethoven's complete cello sonatas in one performance. In August 2003, to celebrate 50 years of playing the cello, he gave a dedication performance at the Osan Shrine, 3003m above Tateyama. On his 60th birthday, he performed Bach's complete unaccompanied cello suites at the BIRTHDAY RECITAL to great acclaim. The late Hiroyuki Iwaki, founder of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, wanted to "never let him go!" In March 2018, he left the OEK and is now an Honorary Member of the OEK, performing solo and chamber music at home and abroad.

　His hobbies are karate (4th Dan), climbing, and photography.