Vaclav Hudecek is a
Czech violinist, conductor, and teacher born on June 7, 1952. He is known for his effortless, natural
artistry and having been one of David Oistrakh’s last students. His recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (with
the Virtuosi di Praga - 1992) is the most successful classical recording in the
Czech Republic’s history. He has
recorded standard concertos under the direction of famous violinists, namely,
Igor Oistrakh, Pavel Kogan, and Dmitry Sitkovetsky, who are themselves sons of
famous Russian violinists. I do not know
who his first teacher was but I do know he later studied and graduated from the
Prague Conservatory. His studies with
David Oistrakh took place between 1970 (or 1971) and 1974. One of his early successes took place on
November 11, 1967 when he appeared as soloist with the Royal Philharmonic in
London. He was 15 years old. He has concertized throughout the world and
played in the most prestigious venues as well as participated or led renowned
music festivals in Europe, Japan, and Australia. Hudecek has also presented master classes in
Canada, Germany, and Japan, as well as other countries. He plays a 1729 violin constructed by
well-known violin maker Antonio Stradivari.
There are several YouTube videos of his performances, including this
one. His recordings are easy to find on
the internet.
Leonard Salzedo was a Spanish (some would say English) violinist, conductor, and composer born (in London) on September 24, 1921 (Heifetz was 20 years old.) He is remembered for having led very successful dual careers as a violinist and composer; for his many ballet scores; and for his film score to the movie The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958.) Salzedo first studied at the Royal College of Music in London. While still a student, he won the Cobbett Prize for his First String Quartet and was commissioned to write his first ballet score (The Fugitive) for the Ballet Rambert (now the Rambert Dance Company, whose founder, Marie Rambert danced in the first performances of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.) This was the first of 17 ballet scores which he composed. Between 1946 and 1947, Salzedo wrote four ballets for the Ballet Negres dance company, of which he and his wife were members. From 1947 to 1950 he played in the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and then for sixteen years (1950-1966) in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. While in the Royal Philharmonic, he was also Thomas Beecham’s assistant – it was Beecham who premiered Salzedo’s First Symphony in 1952. His most successful ballet score, The Witch Boy, came in 1956. It has been performed all over the world and has enjoyed several revivals since its premiere. In 1964, Salzedo joined the London Soloists Ensemble - he toured Europe with them and recorded one of his works, Concerto Fervido with this ensemble as well. In 1967, Salzedo gave up playing altogether to become Musical Director of Ballet Rambert (until 1972.) After that, he was appointed principal conductor with the Scottish Ballet, and from 1982 until 1986 he was Music Director of London City Ballet, for whom he re-orchestrated classical ballet scores for smaller orchestra. After 1986, he devoted himself full-time to composition. In spite of his continuous activities as a performer, Salzedo was extremely prolific, writing more than 160 compositions, including 10 String Quartets, two symphonies, 17 ballets, and many other works. Many of these works have been recorded on various labels and are easily available. Salzedo died on May 6, 2000, at age 78.
