the Czech Cellist Frantisek Brikcius

FRANTISEK BRIKCIUS
Czech cellist František Brikcius was born in Prague, into a family with a distinguished cultural background. From early childhood he began to play the cello and quickly developed into a competent student. He was accepted into the Janáček Academy of Music (JAMU) in Brno after completing his study of the absolutory at the Prague Conservatoire, under Professor Jaroslav Kulhan. As a student at JAMU, František studied in Bedřich Havlík’s cello class. He furthered his study at The Toho Gakuen Academy in Japan, and continues his studies today with master classes under the guidance of Professor Anna Shuttleworth in United Kingdom. He graduated from JAMU with an MgA degree, under the tutelage of Professor Evžen Rattay.
He has actively participated in many international cello master classes in Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Great Britain and Israel. French Academy 1999, 2000, 2001 (Prof. J.Bárta), Terezín Composers International Master classes 1999 (Prof. D.Sella), Cello Master classes 2001 (Prof. L.Meze), Jihlava Master classes 2000, 2001, 2002 (Prof. D.Sella, Prof. E.Rattay), International Cello Interpretation Master classes 2002 (Prof. S.Apolín), Summer Academy in Semmering 2000, 2001, 2003 (Prof. C.Onsczay, Prof. T.Kühne), Cello Master classes 2003 (Prof. L.Uynterlinde), Eton Cello Master classes 2002, 2004 (Prof. J.Goritzki, Prof. Melissa Phelps, Prof. Anna Shuttleworth), Jerusalem Academy Master classes in Jezreel Valley 2004 (Prof. Z.Plesser, Prof. S.Magen), Terezín Composers Master classes in Israel 2004 (Prof. D.Sella).
He has performed at many festivals including Lotherton Hall Young Artists Platform 2002 (UK), Festival Czech and Slovak Music in London 1999, 2000, 2002 (UK), Festival History, Music & Memory 2004 (Israel), Festival Music in the Valley 2004 (Israel), Violoncello 2005 in Brussels (Belgium), Spring in Russia 2006 (Moscow), Year of Jewish Culture - 100 Years of the Jewish Museum in Prague 2006 (Czech republic), Weinberger Tour 2007, 2008 (Czech republic), Dvořák's musical Nelahozeves 2007 (Czech republic), Musicale delle Nazioni 2007 (Italy), Premières rencontres avec Paul Bazelaire 2007 (France) and Chotěboř's Spring 2008 (Czech republic).
He also enthusiastically visits cello festivals where he is able to mix with other young artists. These include the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival 2004, Cello Meisterkurse & Konzerte Kronberg Academy 2004.
František Brikcius was the winner of the Anglo-Czech Competition in London (1999). He was awarded 2nd prize at The International String Competition London (2000), and 2nd prize at The International String Competition Jihlava (2003).
He was a fellow of The Czech Music Foundation (ÄŒHF) in the 2001 and 2002 for the interpretation of contemporary Czech composers.
Czech Cellist František Brikcius has been supported by Foundation Nadání Josefa, Marie a Zdeňky Hlávkových (1999), Österreichisches Kulturinstitut Prag (1999), Johannes Brahms Wettbewerb (1999), Czech Music Foundation (ČHF), Foundation Gideon Klein for the propagation of works written by Gideon Klein (2004, 2006, 2007), Foundation Pro talent (2005), Music Foundation OSA (2005, 2006), Foundation Charta 77 (2005), Foundation Život Umělce (2007), Summer Academy in Semmering Scholarship (2000, 2001, 2003), Socrates-Erasmus Scholarship (2001, 2002), Japanese Toho Gakuen Fellowship (2002), Kronberg Cello Academy Scholarship (2004), Israeli government scholarship (2004), Thomastik Infeld (2006, 2008), Czech Centres (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008), Jewish Museum in Prague (2006, 2007), City of Prague (2006, 2007), City of Brno (2006, 2007) and Czech Radio (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).
He chose to dedicate his life to the interpretation of cello compositions written by composers of the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st century, with special consideration given to the compositions for cello solo. He also allows himself time to concentrate on works by Czech, Terezín and contemporary composers.
František Brikcius plays a "George Kriwalski" cello made in the 1904. He is together with his sister Anna Brikcius, founding member of the "Duo Brikcius".
Music cooperation with Talich chamber orchestra, pianist Tomáš Víšek, composer Irena Kosíková and conductor Jan Talich.
More information about Czech Cellist Frantisek Brikcius and his projects (egs. "Prague - Brno: 6 Contemporary composers for cello solo in the interpretation of Frantisek Brikcius," "Tartini's L'Arte dell'Arco in the interpretation of Frantisek Brikcius," "7 Candles", "Weinberger Tour" and the "Duo Brikcius - 2 Cellos Tour") is available at www.Brikcius.com .
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