Great Steps of the Jazz

Born in Prague, Petr Wagner studied cello at the Prague Conservatoire with Josef Chuchro. This was followed by studies in musicology at the Charles‘ University in Prague and at the Royal Holloway University of London. There he was introduced to viola da gamba by Richard Boothby, later continuing with Jaap ter Linden at the Akademie für alte Musik Dresden.

After having completed his studies in Dresden, Petr was invited to study with Wieland Kuijken at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague where he received the Uitvoerend Musicus solo diploma.

As a soloist, chamber and continuo player, Petr has appeared at numerous European festivals (Queen Elizabeth Hall/Southbank Early Music Series London, Fränkischer Sommer, Stavanger Philharmonic chamber series, Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, Royal Danish Chamber orchestra series, Casa de Mateus in Portugal, Settembre Musica di Torino, Festival d’Ambronay, Festival de Troyes, Festival d'Ile de France, Mexico City Shakespearean Festival, Prague Spring Festival, Festival Mitte Europa, Forum Musicum Wrocław, Sopron Early Music Days, Brežice Early Music Festival, etc), as well as in other parts of the world – Israel, Japan, Mexico.

He collaborates regularly with musicians such as Jacques Ogg, Shalev Ad-El, Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen, Wilbert Hazelzet, Philip Pickett, Brent Wissick, Mitzi Meyerson, Bruce Dickey, Ophira Zakai, Magdalena Kožená, Noémi Kiss, Julian Podger, Stephen Varcoe, and with ensembles such as New London Consort, Musicians of the Globe, Collegium 1704, Concerto Palatino, Orfeo Orchestra, Concerto Armonico Budapest, Oslo Baroque Soloists, and Bach Collegium München.

In 1998 Petr Wagner founded Ensemble Tourbillon with internationally acclaimed musicians. Its core activities focus on 17th and 18th century repertoire, with music by Couperin, Bach, Marais, Rebel, Purcell, Finger, Fischer and Handel.

Petr regularly records and broadcasts for BBC, Polish Radio, Czech Radio and Czech TV. He has appeared on nearly 40 CDs – either as a soloist or chamber musician. His solo CDs with music by Charles Dollé (Dorian Recordings, 2003) and by Gottfried Finger (Arta, 2006) have won enthusiastic reviews and reception world-wide.

Early in 2010, Petr Wagner’s world premiere recording of Pieces de Viole by Roland Marais is due to be released by ACCENT label.