Ladislav Černý

Biography

Černý studied violin at the Prague Conservatory (1906–1912) with Ferdinand Lachner and Jindřich Bastař, and chamber music with František Spilka. He became assistant concert master of the Czech Philharmonic (1916–1918) and in 1919 was accepted into the opera orchestra in Ljubljana, not as a violinist, but as principal violist (solo violist). While in Ljubljana, he taught at the Ljubljana Conservatory (Glasbena matica) and also founded the Zika Quartet (Zikovo kvarteto) in 1920 along with fellow countrymen Richard Zika (violin) and Ladislav Zika (cello), and Slovene violinist Karel Sancin. The Quartet returned to Prague in 1921 where it was called the Czechoslovak Quartet, and from 1929, the Prague Quartet. Černý remained as the violist of the ensemble for 46 years giving more than 1300 performances until it disbanded in the mid-1950s.

Černý was a pioneer for the viola in the former Czechoslovakia. He enjoyed a solo career often performing the solo viola part of Berlioz's Harold en Italie and other repertoire. In 1922 at the Festival of Contemporary Music in Donaueschingen, Černý befriended Paul Hindemith and they became lifelong friends. Hindemith dedicated his Sonata for Solo Viola, Op. 25 No. 1 (1922) to Černý.

From 1940 to 1952, Černý taught viola and chamber music at the Prague Conservatory, becoming Professor of Viola in 1945. Concurrently, he taught the same courses at the Academy of Performing Arts from 1946 to 1958, initially as Associate Professor, then later when his mobility deteriorated in 1952, he taught from his apartment, which in time became a major artistic meeting place. Černý's numerous students include violists Lubomír Malý, Karel Řehák and Karel Doležal, as well as many chamber musicians.

Černý had a constant devotion to Czech avant-garde technical innovations which blossomed in 1966. He performed works by Miroslav Krejčí, Pavel Bořkovec, Alois Hába, Iša Krejčí, Jindřich Feld, Jiří Jaroch, Jiří Matys, Josef Matěj, Jan Kapr and Jan Tausinger among others. Numerous compositions were initiated by Černý and many were dedicated to him. Černý's viola playing excelled in virtuoso technique, with remarkable temperament, beauty and expressiveness of tone.

In 1955 Černý was named an Artist of Merit (Zasloužilý umělec) and in 1971 People's Artist (Národní umělec).

Černý owned and played a very large German viola which was once thought to be made by Giovanni Battista Grancino.

Discography