Václav Luks: "This is My Life’s Work"

Václav Luks: “This is My Life’s Work”

From its early “punk period” to major international stages, Collegium 1704 has been making its mark for twenty years. Conductor Václav Luks recounts the adventure.

Václav Luks © Collegium 1704

Collegium 1704, the Czech ensemble led by its founder and conductor Václav Luks, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In the spotlight: composer Jan Dismas Zelenka, who indirectly gave the orchestra its name. An international tour and a double season in Prague and Dresden will mark this anniversary.

What does it feel like to see your ensemble celebrate its 20th anniversary and, in a way, reach adulthood?

Václav Luks: For me, these 20 years are simply a milestone. At the time, I decided to transform the existing, but rather irregular, chamber ensemble into a permanent baroque orchestra—and above all to found the Collegium Vocale. That’s when I said to myself, “It’s now or never. This will be my life’s work.” Of course, there are older recordings under the name Collegium 1704, but 2005 marks the real starting point for us. It was also when we launched the Bach-Prague project: the orchestra and choir as brother and sister.

When did you know that your life would be devoted to music?

V. L.: Very early on. I remember it well: when I was eleven, I heard Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik in class. At that moment, I knew I wanted to make music. Such decisive moments have marked my life, whether it was my departure for Basel or the founding of Collegium 1704. I started out as a pianist and horn player, studied in Pilsen, and played in the National Theatre orchestra. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, I went to Basel to study harpsichord at the Schola Cantorum. At the same time, I played the natural horn at the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin (Akamus). In 2005, I had to make a choice: continue as a musician with Akamus or create my own ensemble. By 2006, my decision was made: Collegium 1704 would be my priority!

How did you experience the early years of Collegium 1704?

V. L.: It was an adventure! At the beginning, we lived only on our enthusiasm. Many ensembles come into being only once their financial base is secured. For us, it was the opposite: an idea, a risk, chaos. I took care of everything: management, fundraising, organization. It was a “punk period.” It was only with the arrival of Veronika Hyksova [general director of Collegium 1704] in 2006 that the ensemble began to take shape, including financially. I had no vision for the next 20 years. All I cared about was the next day. I never would have imagined we would now be present on the international stage.