Jan Jiraský Concerts

Experience Jan Jiraský

Jan Jiraský is a Czech composer and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his innovative approach to early music performance and improvisation. Born in 1972, he’s a leading figure in the revival of historical plucked instruments, particularly the lute, theorbo, and baroque guitar. Jiraský doesn't simply replicate historical performance practice; he actively *reimagines* it, blending rigorous scholarship with free improvisation and influences from jazz, ambient music, and world traditions.

He’s a founding member of the ensembles La Reverie and Vertical Duo (with Pedro Halffter), performing internationally at prestigious festivals like Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and MaerzMusik. Jiraský’s discography includes critically acclaimed solo albums like “Still Life” (2016) and collaborations exploring the intersection of ancient and modern soundscapes. He frequently commissions new works for his instruments, expanding their repertoire beyond traditional boundaries.

A graduate of the Prague Conservatory and Royal College of Music (London), Jiraský also teaches extensively, fostering a new generation of historically informed but creatively adventurous musicians. His work consistently challenges perceptions of what early music can be, earning him recognition as a unique voice in contemporary classical and improvised music.