Karel Martínek, born in 1979, is director and organist of St. Maurice Church in Olomouc (Czech Rep.where he plays the famous instrument of Michael Engler. He was born in Olomouc and studied there at Palacký University (Mathematics – Faculty of Physics, later Musicology – Faculty of Philosophy ). Between 2004 and 2009 he studied organ at the Janáček Academy of Music in Brno under K. Klugarová and improvisation under K. Pokora.
He participated in numerous masterclasses under the guidance of well-known organists (Susan Landale, Martin Sander, Günther Kaunzinger, Julian Gembalski, Reitze Smits), as well as in various interpretation and improvisation competitions. In 2014, he began studying organ improvisation under Philippe Lefebvre, titular organist of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
His concerts in the Czech Republic and abroad (Germany, Austria, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Netherlads, Ukraine) include organ sonatas of all eras and styles; however, he devotes much attention to improvisation. He was a teacher of improvisation at the Opava Church Conservatory (2007-2009), then a teacher at the Conservatory of the Evangelical Academy in Olomouc.
He regularly collaborates with eminent Moravian musical groups such as the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra Zlín, Žerotín mixed choir, Bell Children’s Choir and others. He has recorded several CDs and participated in the production of documentary films for Palacký University. In addition, Maestro Martínek devotes himself to composition. In addition to music for solo organ, he has composed pieces for piano, choir and orchestra, some of which have received awards at composition competitions.
He is artistic director of the St. Maurice International Organ Festival in Olomouc.