Pavel Šmok Was an Experimental Creator: Lucie Kocourková as a Guest of the Czech Radio’s Series Hovory

What was Pavel Šmok like as a person? Why is his artistic legacy still relevant? And what will the readers learn his new biography? Dance historian Lucie Kocourková, the author of the book, was a guest of Czech Radio. 

The Czech Radio’s series Hovory was dedicated to dance, and specifically the legacy of Pavel Šmok. Dance historian and publicist Lucie Kocourková introduced her new publication, which is to be published in 2023. She and the host Roman Kuruc, the Czech Radio editor, talked about the individual periods in Pavel Šmok’s career as a choreographer, the characteristics of his work, and his major works.

The full interview is available HERE.

The new publication tracks his genius and reveals his unique traits by analysing his most famous choreographies. “Pavel Šmok’s choreographies stand out for their musicality, humour, and a peculiar directorial thinking,” explains the author. “His success stemmed from his tremendous natural talent and the circumstances of his life. His studies of acting and friendship with theatre directors informed his theatrical approach to choreography; his technical studies and interest in photography and film provided him with the background for his innovative drive and inspiration for his achievements as the first Czech dance cinematographer. In his early ears already, he fell under the spell of Czech music, and it was him who brought the compositions by Leoš Janáček, Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák on stage to accompany dance productions.”

The publication focuses on the characteristics of his work in the individual periods, whether it was the experimental 1960s, devoted to searching for new forms and themes, the later lyrical choreographies celebrating the Czech composers, or his pieces combining dance with theatre. Many among the audience are surely familiar with Pavel Šmok’s most famous choreographies, including the Intimate Letters, Sinfonietta, Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Piano Trio in G minor, American Quartet, From My Life, On the Overgrown Path, Stabat Mater, and The Wild Dove. Foreign dance theorists such as Horst Koegler and John Percival appreciated his work, as well as his dedication to operate the Prague Chamber Ballet as an independent dance ensemble without a permanent founding entity.

We would like to invite you to the book launch party. Choose your bonus on Donio.