Libor Pešek
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Libor Pešek (born June 22, 1933) is a Czech conductor.
Pešek was born in Prague and studied conducting, piano, cello and trombone at the Academy of Musical Arts there, with Václav Smetáček and Karel Ančerl among his teachers. He worked at the Pilsen and Prague Operas, and from 1958 to 1964 was the founder and director of Prague Chamber Harmony. He was chief conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra in 1981-82, and from 1982 to 1990 was conductor in residence of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. He was music director of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from 1987 to 1998, becoming conductor laureate thereafter. He has guest conducted a large number of other orchestras.
Pešek is best known for his interpretations of Czech music. He has been a champion of lesser known Czech composers, particularly Josef Suk and Vítězslav Novák.
He was awarded KBE in 1996 and the First Grade of Czech Medal of Merit in 1997.
| Preceded by Ladislav Slovák |
Principal Conductor, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra 1981–1982 |
Succeeded by Vladimír Verbickij |
| Preceded by Marek Janowski |
Principal Conductor, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra 1987–1998 |
Succeeded by Petr Altrichter |
