The Kocian Quartet, founded in 1972, is named after the violin virtuoso and teacher Jaroslav Kocian, a world-famous pupil of Otakar Ševčík.
Composer Biography
Dohnányi was a principal promoter of the avant-garde works of his younger colleagues, Bartók and Kodály, while also ensuring the continuity of the Romantic tradition.
Composer Biography
After being accused by the communist regime and having his music banned, Dohnányi emigrated to the United States, where he revived his career as a pianist and teacher.
Compositional Technique
Dohnányi's chamber music, like the String Quartet No. 1, combines the neo-Brahmsian 'Hungarian' tradition with an originality that moves away from post-Romantic heaviness.
Composer Biography
Dohnányi's two sons were executed in 1944, one for involvement in an assassination attempt against Hitler, and the other killed at the front.
Composer Biography
Ernő Dohnányi, the composer, had a multifaceted career as a concert pianist, composer, conductor, and teacher, with notable pupils including Georg Solti.
Performer Biography
The Kocian Quartet has given approximately 2,500 concerts in 30 countries and specializes in Czech works by composers like Smetana, Dvořák, Janáček, and Martinů.
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