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Libor Pešek studied conducting at Prague’s Academy of Performing Arts between 1951 and 1956 with Karel Ančerl, Václav Smetáček and Václav Neumann.
At the outset of his career, Libor Pešek mainly worked with small ensembles, above all the Chamber Harmony, which he founded in 1959. In 1965, he established the Chamber Orchestra Sebastian, which he led until 1969. Between 1970 and 1977, he was at the helm of the Pardubice Chamber Philharmonic.
Between 1963 and 1969, Pešek was chief conductor of the North Bohemia Philharmonic in Teplice. Subsequently, from 1969 to 1975, he led the Frysk Orkest in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. He left a distinct footprint as conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he made a number of recordings. When in the early 1980s he became a permanent guest of the Czech Philharmonic, its principal conductor was Václav Neumann. From 1987 to 1997, he was music director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1996, Queen Elizabeth II named him a Knight of the British Empire.
Moreover, Pešek was always keen on jazz and film music, and possesses extensive knowledge of other extra-musical subjects, including eastern spiritual teachings. His most characteristic features were overview and nobleness, great human openness, kindness and broadmindedness, qualities scarce indeed in today’s frantic world.
At the outset of his career, Libor Pešek mainly worked with small ensembles, above all the Chamber Harmony, which he founded in 1959. In 1965, he established the Chamber Orchestra Sebastian, which he led until 1969. Between 1970 and 1977, he was at the helm of the Pardubice Chamber Philharmonic.
Between 1963 and 1969, Pešek was chief conductor of the North Bohemia Philharmonic in Teplice. Subsequently, from 1969 to 1975, he led the Frysk Orkest in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. He left a distinct footprint as conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he made a number of recordings. When in the early 1980s he became a permanent guest of the Czech Philharmonic, its principal conductor was Václav Neumann. From 1987 to 1997, he was music director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1996, Queen Elizabeth II named him a Knight of the British Empire.
Moreover, Pešek was always keen on jazz and film music, and possesses extensive knowledge of other extra-musical subjects, including eastern spiritual teachings. His most characteristic features were overview and nobleness, great human openness, kindness and broadmindedness, qualities scarce indeed in today’s frantic world.
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