After having finished a grammar school (1948) he studied music theory, rudiments of composition and conducting at Brno Conservatory (1948-49, mainly with V.Petrželka and J. Šoupal), in the following four years (1949-53) composition at the Janáček Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (JAMU) in Brno with Jaroslav Kvapil. He extended his knowledge in international courses - in Dartington (1963) with W.Lutoslawski, in Darmstadt (1965) with P.Boulez, G.Ligeti and others - and at a number of festivals of contemporary music. He took his doctorate in the theory and history of music at the Palacký University in Olomouc (PhDr.,1973) and the degree of Candidate of Art Science at the Masaryk University in Brno (CSc.,1980).
Career: Junior, Fellow, Senior Lecturer of composition and theory of composition (also head of the departement of composition, music theory and conducting, Vice-Rector for artistic and research activity) at the JAMU (1953-80); Professor of composition at the Academy of Music Arts in Prague (1980-90), Artistic Director of the Czech Philharmonic (1980-87); also other functions in Czech music life. Memberships: Association of Music Artist and Scientist, Prague; Club of Moravian Composers (Vice-Chairman,1992-2002), Brno.
In his first creative period Kohoutek coped with the classical and romantic heritage as well as the influence of folklore. His gradually arrived at the critical unorthodox application and synthesis of modern composition principles which in 1957 crystallized in his own project composition method. This method consists in drawing up a composition plan in graphic form with time axis which is realized in concrete sound form in the process of creation. Every composition is given its individual form and stratification of expression in agreement with its message. Since 1965 C. Kohoutek has written most of his works in this manner. His latest period in the work is characterized by a simplification of compositional means and the effort for communicativeness of the music. Doing this the author does not abandon his project composition method and creative seeking.
Awards (selection)
1957 2nd prize in the International Composer's Competition, Moscow (Festival Overture)
1962 Janáček regional prize, Brno (Great Turning Point)
1967 Paris critics' prize /Cassino de Divonne/, chamber music, Paris (Memento)
1975 Janáček regional prize, Brno (Panteon)
1994 1st prize in the International composers' competition, Jihlava (The Little Peach)
