Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Czech Republic

Birth

:

July 22, 1958 in Bruntál, Czechoslovakia

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Iva Bittová is a Czech violinist, singer, and composer who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born on July 22, 1958, in Bruntál, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Bittová grew up in a musical family. Her father was a composer and her mother was a singer, and they encouraged her to pursue music from a young age. Bittová began playing the violin at the age of five and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. She studied at the Brno Conservatory and later at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno, where she focused on classical violin and voice. However, she was also drawn to other genres of music, including folk, jazz, and rock. In the early 1980s, Bittová began performing with the experimental rock band Dunaj, which helped to establish her as a unique and innovative musician. She also began to develop her own solo career, releasing her debut album, Iva Bittová, in 1988. The album showcased her distinctive style, which combined classical violin with folk and avant-garde elements, as well as her powerful and expressive vocals. Over the years, Bittová has continued to push the boundaries of classical music, collaborating with a wide range of musicians and artists from different genres and backgrounds. She has performed with the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. She has also worked with visual artists, dancers, and filmmakers, creating multimedia performances that blur the lines between music, art, and theater. One of Bittová's most notable performances was her appearance at the 1995 WOMAD Festival in Reading, England. She performed a solo set that showcased her virtuosic violin playing and her haunting vocals, which drew on traditional Czech folk music as well as more experimental styles. The performance was widely praised and helped to introduce Bittová to a wider international audience. Bittová has also received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1997, she was awarded the Czech Republic's prestigious Thalia Award for her contributions to music and theater. She has also been recognized for her work in film, winning the Best Actress award at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2002 for her role in the film Želary. Despite her success, Bittová remains committed to exploring new sounds and ideas in her music. She continues to tour and record regularly, and her most recent album, Entwine / Proplétám, was released in 2020. With her unique blend of classical, folk, and avant-garde influences, Bittová has established herself as one of the most innovative and exciting musicians working today.

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