Sanctuaire de l’Enfant Jésus de Prague – Couvent Saint Elie| Mayssra (Nahr Ibrahim) | 7:30 PM

KAREL MARTÍNEK (Czech Republic), organ
In collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lebanon

Karel Martinek

Artistic director of the International Organ Festival in Olomouc; organist, and choirmaster at St. Wenceslas cathedral in Olomouc, Karel Martìnek graduated from the Palacký University in Mathematics, Physics, Philosophy and Musicology. Between 2004 and 2009 he studied organ at the Janáček Academy of Music in Brno under K. Klugarová and improvisation under K. Pokora. He followed numerous masterclasses under world class organists such as Olivier Latry, Thomas Ospital, Susan Landale, Martin Sander, Günther Kaunzinger, Julian Gembalski, and Reitze Smits; subsequently winning several interpretation and improvisation competitions.

As of 2014, he regularly attends improvisation classes with Philippe Lefèbvre, titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. Martìnek regularly performs in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Finland, Sweeden, Poland, Slovakia, Netherlands, and Ukraine, playing the monumental instruments of Notre-Dame de Paris, Stefansdom in Wien, Our Lady Cathedral in Antwerp, St. Baafs Cathedral in Ghent, and Basilica S. Rita in Torino, presenting organ literature from all epochs and styles, while giving a considerable attention to improvisation. Martìnek teaches organ at the Conservatoire of the Evangelical Academy in Olomouc, and organ improvisation at Janáček´s Music Academy in Brno. His collaborations include eminent Moravian music ensembles as the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra Olomouc, the Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra Zlín, and the Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, to name a few. His discography includes several recordings including documentary films music. As a composer, Martìnek’s catalogue includes organ, piano, choir, and orchestra music, receiving several awards at different competitions.