He graduated from the Conservatory in Pardubice, majoring in accordion, then from the Faculty of Education of the University of Hradec Králové, majoring in music education, philosophy and social sciences for secondary schools. As an accordionist, he has performed in many countries in Europe and Asia. He also works as a teacher. In the 2008/2009 season, he was the intendant - executive director of the Semafor Theater, and in 2017 - 2019 he collaborated with Václav Hybš as the second conductor of his orchestra. He admires jazz, swing and dance music of the 1930s - 1940s, which he has been performing with his Blue Star ensemble since 1999. For the authentic sound of popular songs of the second half of the 20th century, a group called Vaclav Marek Orchestra.
We have a full Vesna children's hospital, so what was Václav Marek like as a child? Was he interested in music, and what was his dream job? Was he naughty, for example? ????
Music ran in our family. At first, I used to say that I would either be a doctor or a musician, I liked both very much, but in the end I had a clear goal – I would graduate from the conservatory and then the academy. The conservatory remained and the college ended up being a pedagogical college.
And if I was naughty? Definitely! Like any good child. You know, we have three boys at home, so sometimes it's noisy. And when there's enough naughty talk, before we "democratically" agree on what and how, I always say: "Don't worry, it's normal. They'll grow out of it. Hopefully..."????
Did you have an easier path to music? Who influenced you the most musically?
My first musical role model was my grandfather Blahoslav Blahovec, a professional accordionist. He was versatile. For example, he played in the Karel Valdauf Orchestra or the Central Music of the Ministry of the Interior, founded and led various musical ensembles, and at the same time served as a teacher and director of two music schools. I started playing the accordion with him at the age of eight. Thanks to my parents, who gave me and my brother a huge background, love, and supported us in what we do, I had a wonderful childhood and was also able to develop professionally in this way.
Another great role model of mine is Kamil Běhounek, a jazz accordionist from the 1930s and 1940s. At that time, he was even mentioned in the European Encyclopedia of Jazz as the first European jazz accordionist on the so-called jazz hot accordion. In addition, he was a successful composer of songs of that time. He performed in various ensembles, whether his own or under the direction of someone else. In fact, we have a similar path, although in the opposite direction. While he was involved in swing and jazz since his youth, and then, when he emigrated to Germany, he played more clarinet in addition to the accordion and founded a brass band, I started with folk music, where there are similar compositions to those in the brass band, but with different instrumentation, and now I make swing and dance music.
What kind of music do you like to listen to the most?
Good! I know, it sounds like a phrase when I say that music is divided into good and bad. Some people don't like such a division. In other words, I need to have three components represented in it – melody, harmony and rhythm. Unfortunately, it seems to me that today this common representation is like saffron. And so I mostly reach for archive images, where I come up with my own. In terms of style, I have it, as they say, "from Bach to Vlach". That's why I thank the previous generations for leaving us such a legacy.
Do you also introduce your children to music?
Yes. Nine-year-old Kristián has been playing the piano for four years and it is assumed that he inherited certain talents from different generations. The twins Štěpán and Václav, who are six, are not far behind and have also been practicing piano for a year. My wife said when the twins were born that she would give birth to a big band, but we stopped that. We decided on a small group. ????
Tell our readers about your work and current projects, where they can see you when possible, and what you are doing and preparing right now?
Blue Star Ensemble Will Probably Head to the Studio to Record a Christmas Album
for the following Christmas. We have a lot of ideas, we could keep recording, so we'll see what else we can do. We will continue with three concert programs, and we have a brand new one called Heaven on Earth, or Hell Will Not Come, Paradise Will Return! We are also guesting in two performances at the Vinohrady Theater - in the production of Hašler by Pavel Kohout and in Marriages of Reason. The Václav Marek Orchestra is preparing for a newly conceived seasonal tour, for Christmas concerts, and since it does not yet have a music carrier, it will certainly also head to the recording studio to record its debut set.
Since when have you been going to Janské Lázně and do you have any childhood memories of it?
We have been going to Janské Lázně regularly since 2016. At first, my wife Štěpánka was more often my companion, and I have great admiration and thanks for helping our son overcome the difficult beginnings in that first phase. Well, now we take turns in our stays. We both have a spa
nice memories, even before we started coming here with our son. My wife's younger sister was a patient here as a child. And I used to come here with my grandfather, who regularly gave concerts with his band at the spa.
How do you evaluate your stay with your son here at Vesna, the progress he has made through his treatment? What do you like here and what would you change?
Definitely positive. When I think about what my son started with and how it has improved over the time we have been coming here, I can say that we are grateful for this opportunity. Satisfaction is the right word to describe our view of the local children's hospital. We like the approach, which is extremely humane in every way and also highly professional. I have not found any fundamental things that I would like to change.
Will you continue to come here?
If it's possible, yes. We'd be happy to.
