Vilém Vlček cello

The interpretation of Vilém Vlček, the winner of the Jiří Bělohlávek Prize 2023, is characterised by a sensitive artistic expression in addition to technical ease.

In 2023 he won two prestigious international competitions, the Krzysztof Penderecki Cello Competition in Krakow and the International Instrumental Competition in Markenukirchen. Among his other competitive achievements are winning the renowned Rahn Musikpreis Instrumental Competition (2022) and the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation Competition (2021).

Already before those successes Vilem performed with a number of major orchestras (Czech Philharmonic, Prague Symphony Orchestra, Luzern Symphony Orchestra, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Pilsen Philharmonic, North Bohemian Philharmonic and others). On these occasions he has collaborated with leading conductors such as Jiří Bělohlávek, Petr Altrichter, Jiří Rožeň, Jonathan Bloxham, Nicolas Ellis, Wolfgang Emmanuel Schmidt and others. As a soloist and recitalist he has appeared in more than 30 countries (Grand Hall of the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Tonhalle Zürich, Chamber music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum).

He has gained experience in chamber music during his time with the Kukal Quartet, as an AKH scholarship holder, and last but not least through direct collaboration with many renowned performers such as Leonidas Kavakos, Steven Isserlis, Sergio Azzolini, Rainer Schmidt, Claudio Martinez Mehner, Tomáš Jamník and Alfred Brendel. For several seasons he was member of the LGT Young Soloists.

Highlights of his 2024/2025 season include debuts with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic, the Prague Royal Philharmonic and the Gorzów Philharmonic. In addition, he will return to  Sinfonietta Cracovia and Clara Schumann Philharmoniker. He will also record his debut CD with the complete works for cello and piano by Bohuslav Martinů for the Supraphon label.

Vilém Vlček was born in 1998 in Prague. He started playing the cello at the age of six under the guidance of Martin and later also Mirko Škampa. Since graduating from high school in 2018, he has been studying at the Musik-Akademie in Basel in the class of Professor Danjulo Ishizaka. In addition to his studies, he regularly participates in masterclasses (Yo-Yo Ma, Frans Helmerson, Steven Isserlis, Peter Bruns, Richard Aaron, Alisa Weilerstein).  Since 2023 he has been assistant to Danjulo Ishizaka at the Universität der Künste in Berlin.
Vilém performs on instrument made in the workshop of Lorenzo Ventapane in Naples between 1830 and 1850.