Violin virtuoso Šporcl in shock: Harsh dismissal

“Kocian’s violin competition has always been close to my heart,” Pavel Šporcl confided on the social network. Already as a student, he competed here every year, and later even won the coveted title of laureate. “Even though I later achieved other successes, I was always aware of the importance of this competition in my life.” Then nine years ago, when the management of the Kociano violin competition and the Kocianovo Ústí festival changed, this well-known violin virtuoso was approached to become the patron of the competition and at the same time the artistic director of the festival.

“I didn’t hesitate for a minute. The opportunity to return to Ústí after many years and continue the legacy of Jaroslav Kocian, one of the best Czech violinists in history, absolutely thrilled me. With great energy and enthusiasm, I began to prepare the festival dramaturgically and helped the competition to improve its slightly tarnished image. And it thrived,” he is convinced. It wasn’t just a matter of fanfare, during his “reign” domestic and foreign artists began to visit the festival, large orchestral works were presented here.

“I threw myself into the competition with the same enthusiasm, brought many new ideas and initiatives, almost all of which became an integral part of the competition. As a patron, I tried to be a support for all the contestants, so that everyone felt good in our Kocian family, as I called it,” described. After the death of the long-time chairman of the jury, Pavel Hůla (†69), he took over his position and position.

“As chairman of the jury, I was mainly concerned with complete transparency and objectivity in decision-making. I immediately addressed any signs of patronizing or underscoring the contestants among the judges. Kocianka gradually became one of the most objective competitions in the world, which was repeatedly confirmed to me by teachers and jury participants under my leadership. I’ve always been very proud of that.’

Beyond his powers, he sought sponsors and funds, acquired a number of interesting partners, arranged for major financial support for the first place competitors, and obtained a one-year loan of a world-class master instrument for the laureate. In addition, he also co-initiated the establishment of a competition orchestra or the participation of Czech Radio. In short, he almost breathed for this competition. “The competition, also thanks to the good organization under the leadership of the new director, began to flourish again.”

“Even though I don’t claim or cling to any positions, I left this year’s Kocianka as jury chairman with the logical idea that I will be the chairman next year as well, as was the case in previous years. And I was leaving KHS 2024 with the feeling that everything was bathed in sunshine, because KHS 2024 was really successful,” he continued sadly. Although he had already prepared many ideas and initiatives for the following years, to his astonishment he learned at the beginning of August that someone else would be the chairman of the jury.

“I was not informed about this decision in advance, nor was I invited to discuss it. It came like a bolt from the blue. I found out by email. The explanation stated that everything happened under the pressure of the KHS director (who has the right to propose the chairman of the jury) and that this change was approved by the Jaroslav Kocian Foundation. I was and still am in absolute shock.” he notes that he was particularly hurt by the way in which he learned his end in the competition. “I thought we were a team…”

All this together with “incomprehensible grudge against me from the director of KHS and approval of ND JK with her actions” took away the opportunity and the desire to continue participating in the events of the event. “The Kocianovo Ústí Festival and the Kocianovo Violin Competition are connected entities. In the current situation, I cannot imagine that I could prepare a festival and in any way be a part of the entire Kocian Ústí. Therefore, I am giving up the position of Artistic Director of the Kocianovo Ústí Festival and patron of the Kocianovo Violin Competition,” concluded – and generously wished the competition and the festival happiness for the next years…