Josef Horák - Czech bass clarinet player discovered for the music world a new solo instrument – the bass clarinet. He was the first musician in the world who lidfted up this instrument from only orchestral use to the level of solo instruments. In 1955 (March 24), he organized the first ever feature bass clarinet recitál in the history of music. By the new own embouchure and breath technique upgraded its tone extent, dynamic range, expressive and technical possibilities, he experimented with tone deformations, multifones, etc. Horák’s soft singing tone has bečíme a new sound ideal of the bass clarinet. Horák has influenced the development of the bass clarinet playing in the world by this decisive way. Therefore, world critics call him „Paganini of the bass clarinet“.

Through his 50 years of very intensive and universal concert and pedagogic activity in many coutries of the world (on four continents), Josef Horák put the events along the solo bass clarinet into motion, and induced the attention of the music community. He has initiated the creation of more than 500 original compositions for this instrument (in various ensembles), and thereby created a large base of much needed literature which previously did not exist.

From many composers who devoted original compositions to Horák: A. Hába, K. Reiner, M. Štědroň, V. Kučera (CZ), H. Pousseur (B), K. Strockhausen (D), S. Gubaidulina (RUS), K. Huber (Ch), Van den Booren (NL), N. Heim (USA), V. Dinescu (RO), A. Logothetis (GR), L. Brouwer (C).

From many composers who have authorized their other compositions to Horák’s bass clarinet: P. Hindemith (D), P. Casals (E), B. Martinů (CZ), O. Messiaen (F), K. Fukushima (JAP).

In the 50th year of Horák’s activity (in 2005), the World Bass Clarinet Foundation was founded. In October 2005 the World Bass Clarinet Convention took place in Rotterdam (NL) with many different events – informative and artistic: competition of the bass clarinet playing and composition for the bass clarinet, concerts, lectures, presentations of the bass clarinets of different companies, note materials, presentation of the bass clarinet ensemble “Mega Bass Clarinet Choirs” (148 players). These very important moments staged meetings of his colleagues from all continents. This widely grandiose event was successfully organized by a team of many devoted co-workers headed by prof. Henri Bok and George Wiegel.

During of Rotterdam WBC Convention the last performance of Horák took place. He looked in the face of hundreds of colleagues loving “his” instrument. He was accorded by standing ovation and his life dream become true. A month later, he died.

His bravery helped establish the setting of the solo bass clarinet on the concert stage.

This is evidenced by the large interest of composers who for many years compose new compositions for and ever expanding number of bass clarinet players in the world, as well as the establishment of individual classrooms for the study of bass clarinet in different music education institutes.The interpreters – bass clarinet players set out their activities by different ways: they differentiate their interpretation profiles and gain the positions in the area of various creative styles. Thanks to them, the bass clarinet is constantly becoming stronger and a more common part of the family of solo concert instruments.

The foundation of Spanish Bass Clarinet Association (“Asociación Espagňola de Clarinete Bajo”) was very important in this context. In this country, the permanent ensemble “Madrid Bass Clarinet Octet” also originated.

Magazines also play a big role. “The Clarinet” (USA), “Clarinet and Saxophon” (UK), “de Klarinet” (NL), “Rohrblatt” (D) continuously devote their attention to the assertion of the bass clarinet on the concert scene – mainly in the last two years in regards to both Societies. Both World and Spanish Society is the source of useful information and experience.

By the death of Josef Horák on November 23, 2005 the ensemble “Due Boemi Di Praga”, main bearer of the bass clarinet activity during past 42 years, was established. The rest of the former duo pianist Emma Kovárnová (wife of Josef Horák) gradually passes on all note materials and other wide documentation to the Czech Museum of Music in Prague. She has also donated Horák’s instrument “Selmer”. During the first period of his music activities, Horák spent time with the Czech instrument “Amati”.