The Dvorák Piano Quartet is made up of musicians already experienced in the field of chamber music. Since 1999, while still studying at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Prague, pianist Slávka Pechocová played with cellist Jan Ždánský in the IUNO Trio. Their collaboration continued when they took part in a complete recording of Janácek’s chamber works (2005-2007).
The artistic partnership of Slávka Pechocová with violinist and viola player Petr Verner began in July 2009, which coincided while they were also playing in a piano quartet. Shortly afterwards, they formed the Spring Duo, and since that time they have dedicated themselves to playing chamber music together. An interesting stimulus was the wish of Prof. Cyril Höschel to hear a performance of Schubert’s 'Trout' Quintet by top Czech players, which they duly gave with Bohuslav Matoušek, Michal Kanka and Pavel Nejtek. There followed many further collaborations with top artists, such as Jan Talich, Ludmila Peterková, Pavel Verner, Jana Vonášková – Nováková, Martina Bacová, Tomáš Jamník and Alžbeta Vlcková.
The great wish of the Spring Duo was to create a larger stable ensemble and, at the suggestion of a number of concert planners, a piano quartet was formed: Slávka Vernerová-Pechocová (piano), Štepán Pražák (violin), Petr Verner (viola) and Jan Ždánský (cello). Originally, the ensemble performed under the name Spring Piano Quartet.
Recently, the kind permission to use Dvorák’s name for the ensemble was granted by the direct descendant of the composer, Antonín Dvorák III. This title also received the approval of the Antonín Dvorák Society in Prague.
The creation of the Dvorák Piano Quartet is thanks largely to their artistic mentors, Professor Ivan Moravec and Maestro Václav Hudecek.
*Pre-concert talk in the Brockway Room, 5:30pm - interview with Karel Janovicky