Jan Heřman (pianist)

Jan Heřman (born August 31, 1886 in Neveklov , † September 30, 1946 in Prague ) was a Czech pianist and music teacher.

Heřman received his first piano, organ and violin lessons from his father, the violinist Jan Heřman . From 1899 he had violin lessons with Otakar Ševčík at the Prague Conservatory . From 1903 to 1909 he studied piano with Adolf Mikeš at the Pilsen Music Academy . After appearing in various Czech cities, in 1904 he undertook a four-month journey through the USA as a piano accompanist for the violinist Marie Heritesová .

In 1907 he made his debut as a piano soloist at the Rudolfinum in Prague with Frédéric Chopin's Piano Concerto. In the same year he played Beethoven's 4th piano concerto with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra . In 1908 he worked as a répétiteur at the Czech National Theater.

From 1909 to 1912 he worked as a piano teacher in Orel. From 1914 until his death he taught piano at the Prague Conservatory, where he taught a master class as a professor from 1934. One of his students was Karel Vinklát . He also made numerous concert tours to London and Paris, Vienna, Copenhagen, Berlin, Warsaw, Hamburg and the Hague.

As a chamber musician he played in the České kvarteto since 1915 , with whom he a. a. successfully performed in France. Since 1933 he was a member of the České Trio . In addition to works by classical and romantic composers, Heřman also played works by contemporary Czech composers such as Vítězslav Novák , Emil Axman , Rudolf Karel , Bohuslav Martinů and Leoš Janáček and introduced the Czech audience to works by César Franck , Max Reger , Richard Strauss and Arthur Honegger .

In 1931 he received the state prize for his life's work, and in 1934 the silver plaque of the Smetana Society. In 1946 he was awarded the title of People's Artist.

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• Český hudební slovník - Heřman, Jan
• Město Nekelov - Jan Heřman
• Czech Trio - From the Ensemble's History