Pavel Klikar, the founder of the Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra and a leading figure in both jazz and early music, has died.
Klikar formulated three core principles for reviving the earliest chapters of jazz history: learning to perceive and understand the musical thinking of the period, mastering period-specific arranging techniques and utilizing instruments from the era, which possess distinct characteristics and sonic possibilities.
“He would seek out original instruments from the 18th century and have them reconstructed and tuned,” said Ondřej Havelka, who announced Klikar’s passing. “He also commissioned copies to be made.”
Klikar’s approach spurred the development of replica harpsichord and organ production in the Czech Republic. He also focused on period-appropriate interpretation, acoustics, and tuning to achieve a pure sound, as well as discovering, transcribing, and adapting previously unknown compositions from archives.
Internationally Renowned
Born January 26, 1954, in Prague, Klikar founded the Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra (OPSO) in 1974, a group dedicated to authentic interpretations of jazz music.
In 1982, he co-founded Musica Antiqua Praha, an ensemble specializing in Baroque music. The group quickly gained international recognition for its historically informed performances. He became internationally known with both ensembles.
“In today’s world, we often hear the adjective ‘genius’ used in connection with art. Its overuse is sometimes laughable, sometimes suspicious, and rarely accurately reflects the abilities and significance of the person being described,” Havelka stated. “But if you ask any musician who was fortunate enough to collaborate with Pavel Klikar, whether in the Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra or the Baroque ensemble Musica Antiqua Praha, each of them will confirm that he was a truly exceptional, extraordinary, simply genius man and musician.”
In 2017, Klikar ran for Senate but was not elected.
The loss of Klikar marks a significant moment for both the Czech jazz and early music scenes, as his dedication to historical accuracy and innovative programming left a lasting impact. He assembled dramatically compelling concert programs, led extensive rehearsals, and organized concert series of early Baroque music, and contributed to the recording and release of numerous albums.
