Tomáš Pálka - biographical notes

1996 graduated from Vídeňská gymnasium in Brno
1996 accepted to the Brno Conservatory to study composition under Pavel Zemek-Novák
1997 - 2002 collaborated with the Brno National Theater as a pianist
1998 - 2001 member (bass-baritone) of the Musica Da Camera mixed choir in Brno under the direction of choirmaster Martin Franz
Since 1998 violinist in the Musica Figuralis orchestra (Přerov, Brno), Artistic Director Marek Čermák
2000 graduated from the Conservatory with a cantata for chamber orchestra VERŠE PSANÉ PRO MLČENÍ /VERSES WRITTEN FOR SILENCE/
2000 accepted to study composition at the Academy of Performing Arts (AMU) in Prague in the class of Marek Kopelent
2000 - 2003 external collaboration with the Prague Philharmonic Choir (bass)
Since 2002 co-founder and member of the KONVERGENCE Composers Association (Prague), whose mission is to perform works by composers of the younger generation from around the world
2003 taught at the Biskupská Elementary Art School in Prague - Dept. of Composition and Improvisation
2003 awarded Bachelor's Degree, completing Bachelor's studies with the spatial composition PODMALBA /SUBPAINTING/ for chamber orchestra and choir
2004 musician in residence in Paris, invited by SACEM to write a composition for Calliopée chamber orchestra
2005 awarded Master's Degree, studies completed with the composition ...VYNÁŠÍŠ MĚ VZHŮRU... /...WITH YOU I RISE HIGHER.../ for symphony orchestra
Since 2005 teaches Music Theory at the Brno Conservatory
2005 continuing education at AMU as a doctorate student under Milan Slavický
2009 became the chairman of the composer's association KONVERGENCE

\"In my compositions I focus on expressing my relation to spiritual values. Presently I somewhat lean towards the static lapsing of musical events at a low dynamic level. Musical dynamics as well as musical time became the most important musical parameters in my composition practice. All in all while composing I tend to use simpler structures. This is a significant factor making it easier to comprehend my music which is heading to subtle, introversive and meditative planes. Among my musical influences are such composers as Anton von Webern, Morton Feldman, Giacinto Scelsi, Görgy Ligeti, Pavel Zemek-Novák, Olivier Messiaen, Witold Lutosławski, Arvo Pärt, György Kurtág...\"