Pavel Šporcl, | iPalpiti is dedicated to the promotion of peace and understanding through music and to the artistic career advancement of exceptionally gifted young classical musicians. | iPalpiti is dedicated to the promotion of peace and understanding through music and to the artistic career advancement of exceptionally gifted young classical musicians.

Pavel Šporcl,

violin/Czech Republic

“I am thankful for my place in this world; from here I can contribute to enriching other people’s lives, not just by playing the violin, but also by sharing my positive attitude towards life -which I really enjoy-”
Pavel Šporcl

Pavel Šporcl and his blue violin are celebrated around the world. He is considered in the ‘royal line’ of Czech violinists, having been taught by the legendary teacher Vaclav Snítil (himself taught by Jaroslav Kocian) as well as by Itzhak Perlman, Eduard Schmieder and Dorothy DeLay. Šporcl, whose iconic blue violin was created by leading contemporary instrument maker Jan Špidlen, has done a great deal to popularise classical music in his country – having sold more than 230,000 CDs and frequently appeared on television, including his recent documentary series on the great Czech violinists of yesteryear, and his regular top-rated program introducing children to music.

Šporcl records for Hanssler Classic and for Universal Music (previously for Supraphon or Cedille Records). His recordings including the Dvořák and Tchaikovsky Violin Concertod with the Czech Philharmonic under Vladimir Ashkenazy, Richard Strauss’s and Korngold’s concertos with the Prague Symphony Orchestra under Jiří Kout, and the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas. Of his recording of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Gramophone magazine wrote, “Pavel Šporcl has established himself on disc as the most charismatic of Czech violinists, spontaneously imaginative and individual in everything he does…” His last album, “Christmas On The Blue Violin’” (with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing, for Universal Music Group) went platinum within eight weeks and even made the top 10 bestselling pop albums chart of its year (the only classical album to do so).

In addition to his classical activities, Šporcl leads a hugely successful gypsy music ensemble that has played more than 400 concerts internationally and recorded two successful albums.. He is the Artistic Director of the Kocian Usti Festival, Ameropa Music Summer Academy and also Patron of the Music Festival Znojmo.

During the pandemic-hit 2020-21 season Šporcl was a tireless innovator and cultural leader – being the first classical musician to perform a ‘drive in’ concert, the first to give a concert on a lake (to socially distanced audience members in boats!), and giving livestreamed full concerto performances with pre-recorded backing tracks from his living room for The Strad and The Violin Channel.
He also tirelessly and successfully lobbied members of the Czech government, in meetings with the Prime Minister, President of the Senate and ministers, to restore concert performances and for the government to be considerate of the plight of locked-down musicians.

Šporcl regularly performs internationally, in recent years including London’s Cadogan Hall with the English Symphony Orchestra (“This may just be the finest account of Mendelssohn’s E minor Concerto that I have heard” – Musical Opinion), sell-out concerts in Japan, festivals in Europe and tours of the US.

PAVEL HAS BEEN PRESENTED WITH SRI CHINMOY TORCH BEARER AWARD AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK FOR HIS WORK BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH MUSIC (2018), AND IS A RECIPIENT OF THE MEDAL OF MERIT OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

Pavel’s first year with iPalpiti was 1999: both as a member and a soloist on the stage at the Ford Theater;

He returned as featured soloist in 2012 at Disney Hall, has returned to LA to support iPalpiti’s events through the years, and we welcome his special return on this 25^th season celebration.