Marek Piaček

Marek Piaček (b. 1972) composer, video producer, performer, lecturer. He studied flute at the Bratislava Conservatory (1986–1992), but his ongoing interest in unusual performance techniques led him to study composition, at first two years privately with Ladislav Burlas and then with Ilja Zeljenka, later at the Academy of Music and Drama with the same teacher (1990–1995). Zeljenka encouraged Piaček’s interest in experimental art, and thus hastened his disassociation with traditional forms (String Quartet, 1989). During his studies he began working in the Experimental Studio of the Slovak Radio, where he produced Flauto dolce ’91 (1991, in collaboration with Juraj Ďuriš). Piaček attended several training courses and seminars (Boswil – 1990–1991; Nottingham Trent University – Kevin Jones, 1993; Akademie für Neue Musik – Boguslaw Schaeffer, Marek Chołoniewski, 1996). He is co-founder of Middle-Class Chamber Orchestra Požoň Sentimental and his musical experience includes more than 30 years performing in many ensembles and groups – Vapori del Cuore, VENI ensemble, don@u.com, SonDrian, Voise Over Noise, Mio-Mio, Audiobratia, Pink Big Pig, Frutti di mare, Musica falsa et ficta, Skuta & Piacek, DekadentFabrik. He performed improvised music with musicians like Nick Collins, David Dramm, Hilary Jeffrey, Ann LaBerge, Beth Griffith, Jean-Marc Montera, Günter Müller, Chris Newmann, John Oswald, Otomo Yoshihide, Jon Rose, Elliot Sharp, Miki Skuta, Daan Vandevalle, Marián Varga, Alfred Zimmerlin, Marcus Eichenberger, David Cajthaml, Ivan Bierhanzl and others. Since 1996 he has composed music for countless theatre, dance and film productions. He is author of the scores for award-winning films by Peter Kerekes (Ladomírske morytáty a legendy, 66 Seasons, Cooking History and others) Ivana Šebestová (Lionardo Mio, Four), Katarína Kerekesová (Stones, Mimi And Lisa, The Websters), Katya Krausova (Last Folio). He has released more then 40 CD albums with classical, electronic, improvised and film music to date. Piaček’s music was featured at ISCM Word Music Days, Warsaw Autumn, Wien Modern, Wiener Festwochen, Melos-Ethos, Evenings of New Music, Musica Danubiana Ljubljana, Bratislava Music Festival, New Slovak Music Festival, Exposition of New Music Brno, Opera Nova Prague, and on many concerts at home and abroad. Presently he is active as a composer, performer (flute, laptop, electronics, conductor), improviser, lecturer, organizer of contemporary music events and the video producer of the Slovak Philharmonic concerts for their Online Video Archive. In his music Piaček exploits elements of every-day life and culture, allusions to pop-music, he re-creates (re-composes) music all around us, music of the past… In Piaček’s eyes, and in his works, rather, art is a culture-creating activity, giving him space, where something neutral, even trivial, aggressive (bad) is changed into something good, better, of greater value – briefly, something what makes sense.