MIchal Hromek - Michal Hromek Consort

Michal Hromek - guitar
Jakub Klár - flute, whistle, recorder
René Vácha - viola, violin, viola d´amour
Daniel Mikolášek - percussion, vibes, marimba, harpsichord, recorder

The repertoire of the Michal Hromek Consort is centered around the interpretation of instrumental adaptations and variations of/on folk melodies and Early Music themes from Ireland and Continental Europe, including among others themes by Turlough O ` Carolan (1670 - 1738) or tunes from Prague Renaissance lute tabulatures; apart from that, the ensemble performs its own original compositions featuring elements of medieval and pre-classical music, as well as intonations of folk, jazz and rock idioms. Most of its concert platform programme derives from contents of several MHC ` s CDs released so far Celtic Guitar, awarded a golden disc in Canada, in 1997, Beyond the Lion & Unicorn, Folk-Baroque and Other Rags..., The Wild Mountain Thyme, Five Bells, Consort Music and Carolan..

While the quartet has to its credit a good deal of experience with performing in widely varied milieus including clubs and open-air podiums, it feels most at home when given the chance to enjoy the naturally pleasant acoustics of a small concert hall, a castle or palace interior, or a church. Two members of the ensemble, René Vácha (viola, violin, viola d`amour), and multiinstrumentalist Daniel Mikolášek , are also members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra; flautist Jakub Klár is a member of several formations spanning a broad spectrum of styles, from traditional Irish music, through Baroque, to jazz and rock; Michal Hromek , the composer of the ensemble ` s own material and arranger of its traditional repertoire, is a classically trained guitarist currently performing also with a guitar duet of his own specializing in adaptations of harp themes by Turlough O`Carolan, and folk music of Ireland, Britain, and Moravia. All four musicians met frequently in the past, in sessions at different recording studios, working on Hromek ` s album projects, getting ever closer, eventually to form a regular concert ensemble.

Since 2004 a talented young harpist and vocalist Kateřina Doležalová has been the frequent guest of the group. In 2001 she starded to play a replica of the 19th century Bohemian "Nechanice" harp with a view to revive the tradition of folk harp playing in Bohemia. In 2003 she attended the Celtic harp master classes led by P. Stickney and R. Opperman in Dinah, Brittany. She co-operates with Early Music ensembles Capella Regia and Ritornello.