Matěj Kotal – Absolute Winner, Clarinet
Matěj Kotal
Country: Czech Republic
Category: Clarinet
Award: Absolute Winner
Program:
C. M. von Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 74
Matěj Kotal
Education
2021–2024: Anglické gymnázium Pardubice (English Grammar School Pardubice)
2022–present: Conservatory of Pardubice, class of Prof. MgA. Jiří Kotal, ArtD.
Masterclasses
2022: Prague Spring International Music Festival
2022: Dvořák Prague International Music Festival — Masterclass with Wenzel Fuchs
Concerts and Competitions
With the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra:
– W. A. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 (2025)
– P. Nesit: Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra, premiere planned for September 2025
Other performances:
– EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan — concerts at the Czech Pavilion and the Czech Embassy in Tokyo
– Clarinet recital at the Smetana’s Litomyšl International Festival (2025)
– Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, New York (20 May 2024)
With the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra:
– C. M. von Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 73 (2024)
– C. M. von Weber: Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 74 (2026)
With the Symphonic Orchestra of Pardubice Conservatory:
– C. M. von Weber: Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra in E-flat Major, Op. 26
– CD recording, 2023–2024
Selected awards:
– Bohuslav Martinů Competition — 1st Prize, Grand Prix and Award for the Best Interpretation of Sonatina (Polička, 2022 and 2024)
– Competition of All Czech Music Schools — 1st Prize and Grand Prix (Prague)
– 20th International Clarinet Competition “Città di Carlino” — 1st Prize and Vito Marsica Prize (Italy)
– 18th International Clarinet Competition “Saverio Mercadante” — 2nd Prize (Italy)
– 5th International Clarinet Competition “Silverstein Clarinet Contest” — 2nd Prize (USA)
– 2nd International Clarinet Competition “Sava Dimitrov” — 2nd Prize (Bulgaria)
– 24th Osaka International Music Competition 2023 — 2nd Prize (Japan)
– “Pardubické dechy 2023” Competition — 1st Prize and Grand Prix (Czech Republic)
– Vienna International Music Competition 2025 — 1st Prize (Austria)
– “Pardubické dechy 2025” Competition — 1st Prize and Grand Prix (Czech Republic)