Josef Micka (1903 – 1993) ranks among the outstanding personalities of CZECH VIOLIN EDUCATION.
After graduation from the secondary school, he continued his music studies at the PRAGUE CONSERVATOIRE IN THE CLASS OF PROFESSOR JINDRICH BASTAR. He was an excellent SOLOIST, but from the very beginning he largely gave himself to the CHAMBER MUSIC as well. In the 1920’s, he founded a very successful quartet together with his schoolmates. After the graduation from the PRAGUE CONSERVATOIRE, Josef Micka gained a scholarship of the Czech government which allowed him to continue studying for one year at the ECOLE DE MUSIQUE IN PARIS, in the class of professor JACQUES THIBAUD. This stay was equally inspiring for MICKA’S pedagogic activities, which gradually became his mane focus. In spite of his TEACHING and CONCERTS GIVING extensively, before the Second World War, he also managed to complete studies of musicology and psychology at the CHARLES UNIVERSITY.
In 1939, Micka became a professor at PRAGUE CONSERVATOIRE and until 1945, he was concurrently a member of the CZECH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA. In 1946, he started teaching at the ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN PRAGUE; however, two years later he was expelled for his critical approach to the political administration of the period. Despite his effort to resume his teaching career and favorable testimonials from some of the ACADEMY professors, he was not permitted to return even after 1969.
JOSEF MICKA educated a number of SOLOISTS AND CHAMBER MUSICIANS. Among his greatest successes are three ensembles which became famous both at home and abroad – SMETANA, TALICH AND PANOCHA QUARTETS.
JOSEF MICKA is also the author of many books and articles on the subject of the VIOLIN play; the most famous and significant are THE VIOLIN PLAY and THE SCHOOL OF VIOLIN PLAY FOR BEGINNERS, which he elaborated with his daughter MAGDALENA MICKOVA.