Milada Gajdová

MILADA GAJDOVÁ

Born in Prague, she has been playing the violoncello since the age of seven. Milada studied at the Prague Conservatoire in the class of Prof. Viktor Moučka (1989-1996). Under his tutelage she also took her first steps on the stages of significant venues, such as the Dvorak's Hall in the Rudolfinum or the Recording Studio of the Czech Radio (P. A. Loccatelli - Sonata in D major). She continued her studies at the Music Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with Prof. Jan Páleníček where she graduated with a performance of Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, accompanied by the North Bohemian Philharmonic orchestra Teplice. During 1998/1999 Milada studied in Paris at the Conservatoire Superieur with professors Jean-Marie Gamard and Raphael Perraud. At the same time she was perfecting her mastery at workshops, focused at both solo performance and chamber music and led by renowned cellists, such as Mstislav Rostropovich (Evian/ France - 1995), Mark Drobinsky (Biel/Switzerland -1995), David Sella (Tel Aviv/Israel - 1998), František Smetana (Bechyně - 1995-97), Bohuslav Pavlas (Prague 1995-98), Evžen Rattay (Bechyně 1990-1997), Maurice Bourgue and Ida Lewi (Brandýs nad Labem - 1996-97). She successfully represented the Czech Republic in the Prague Spring International Music Competition (semifinal). As a soloist, Milada performed with South Bohemian Philharmonic orchestra in Prague and České Budějovice (J. Haydn - Concerto in C -major), with Příbram Philharmonic Orchestra (A. Vivaldi - Concerto for two violoncellos). Milada was a concert master between 2004 and 2006 and a solo violoncellist of the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra. Milada's repertoire covers all styles, spanning from early baroque to contemporary music. It contains the core cello concertos, solo compositions and chamber music works for cello and piano. The cellist finds pleasure in broadening her repertoire further still.

Since 2003 she has been pursuing contemporary music in the MoEns Ensemble, having performed around Europe (Germany France, England) and Canada. Milada has premiered and recorded many works of contemporary composers for Czech Radio and Czech Television; amongst these works by Marek Kopelent, Pavel Zemek or Martin Marek.

She is a founding member of the Rubin Quartet and cooperates with several chamber orchestras (Talich Chamber Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra)

In addition to her concert activity, she currently shares her experience as a sought-after music school teacher as well as a private cello tutor.

Milada Gajdová plays a unique French instrument signed N. Lupot Luthier du Roi et de l'Ecole Royale de Musique, Paris 1819.