Josef Kratochvíl
is a young aspiring organist and pianist from the Czech Republic.
He started playing the piano at the age of 5. During his childhood, Josef received many awards and recognitions in piano contests and regional talent shows. After his graduation, Josef was accepted to Karol Szymanowski Music Academy in Katowice, Poland, in Julian Gembalski‘s organ class and Robert Marat‘s piano class where he received his Bachelor‘s degree.
2022 Josef graduated with a Master’s and Meisterklasse (with the highest distinction) degree from Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig, Germany, where he studied with Prof. Martin Schmeding (Organ) and Prof. Jacques Ammon (Piano). After his graduation, he was awarded the prize from DMR (Deutscher Musikrat).
In January 2017, Josef won a young talent competition Jeunesses Musicales of Janáček´s Philharmonic. In February 2017, Josef placed second and won the main prize at an international organ competition Vox Polonia Petropolitana in Saint Petersburg, Russia. In 2018 Josef was awarded the prestigious scholarship by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). In October 2018, Josef placed third at the Petr Eben International organ competition in the Czech Republic.
At the beginning of 2020, Josef took part in an internship in the USA while studying with leading American organists at the world-recognized American music Universities. Besides, Josef participated in numerous international organ masterclasses led by world-renowned musicians, such as Olivier Latry, Paul Jacobs, Masaaki Suzuki, Nathan Laube, Ken Cowan, David Titterington, Thierry Escaich, Jean Baptiste—Monnot, Bernhard Haas, etc.
Josef performs his recitals at numerous international festivals across Europe, the USA, Russia, and Japan. He also performed solo with the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Košice and Janáček’s Philharmonic. He is also actively involved in chamber music and frequently performs in concerts as a piano accompanist for opera singers and violinists.
In Valašské Meziříčí, CZ, Josef is also the artistic director of the international organ festival “Autumn Organ“.