Petr Kotik Contemporary Czech composer Date of Birth: 27.01.1942

1. Early Life and Education
2. Formative Years in Music
3. Experimental Music and Ensembles
4. Arrival in the United States
5. Teaching and Scholarship
6. Conducting and Orchestras
7. The Ostrava Center for New Music

Early Life and Education

Peter Kotík was born into an artistic family, with his father being the renowned painter Jan Kotík. He initially studied the flute at the Prague Conservatory before pursuing further studies at the Vienna Academy of Music.

Formative Years in Music

Between 1960 and 1963, Kotík received composition lessons from Jan Rychlík in Prague. He subsequently continued his studies in Vienna under the guidance of Karl Schiske, Hans Jelinek, and Friedrich Cerha.

Experimental Music and Ensembles

Kotík founded the Czechoslovakian ensemble Musica Viva Pragensis in 1961 and the experimental music ensemble Quax in 1966. These ensembles allowed him to explore avant-garde music and push the boundaries of traditional performance practice.

Arrival in the United States

In 1969, Peter Kotík relocated to the United States, where he became an artist-in-residence at the Center of the Creative and Performing Arts at the University at Buffalo. He established the S.E.M. Ensemble, which became known for its innovative performances and collaborations with renowned composers.

Teaching and Scholarship

Alongside his musical activities, Kotík held a teaching position in flute performance at the State University of Buffalo from 1971 to 1977. His research focused on the publication of Marcel Duchamp's complete musical works.

Conducting and Orchestras

In the 1980s, Peter Kotík emerged as a skilled conductor, primarily specializing in the music of John Cage. He founded the Orchestra of the S.E.M. Ensemble in 1991, which showcased contemporary works from the likes of David First, Somei Sato, and Morton Feldman.

The Ostrava Center for New Music

In 1999, Kotík established the Ostrava Center for New Music. This organization hosts biennial summer music festivals in Ostrava, Czech Republic, providing a platform for the exploration and dissemination of contemporary music.