Collegium Musicum | en

Collegium Musicum is an art-rock band from Czechoslovakia and was established by stable member Marián Varga 1969. Prevalent in the band´s repertory are instrumental compositions, comprising re-interpretations of classical music themes (Haydn, Bartók, Stravinskij ...), and original compositions bearing the first signs of artistic post-modernism (Euphony from the album Convergencie). The story of this band was published in book by musician and music reviewer Marián Jaslovský. Star formation of Collegium Musicum were Marián Varga (hammond organ, keyboards, piano), bassguitarist Fedor Frešo and drummer Dušan Hájek. Collegium Musicum played in various formations, also with guitarists Rasťo Vacho (from Blues Five), Pavel Vaňě (from Synkopy 61 and Progress Organization), František Griglák (later Fermáta) and others. In early days Collegium Musicum played with guitarist Fedor Letňan. Latňan was fired and replaced by Rasťo Wacho from Blues Five. Rasto Vacho left the band first time when he gone studied. Collegium Musicum requested Pavel Vaňě and they record first debut EP. After return of Rasťo Vacho they record debut LP "Collegium Musicum". Later was Rasťo Vacho again replaced by new young guitarist František Griglák (later former member of Fermáta). Marián Varga and Pavol Hamell, members of Collegium Musicum and other guest artists record an album called "Zelená pošta". František Griglák left the band after recording of legendary album "Konvergencie". Collegium Musicum in 1973 record live album "Collegium Musicum Live" in trio formation. After recording this album were bassguitarist Fedor Frešo replaced by Ivan Belák and Collegium Musicum added new guitarist Jozef Farkaš (later he destroy oneself). In this formation they record album "Marian Varga and Collegium Musicum" (again live in studio). After recording Dušan Hájek left the band and was replaced by Peter Szapu and Collegium Musicum add guitarist Andrej Horváth from band called Bohémia. In 1976 Marián Varga works on his new project (similiar as "Zelená Pošta") with guest artists as (Radim Hladík, Pavol Hammel, Fedor Letňan (first guitarist of Collegium Musium), bassguitarist Ivan Belák, three drummers : Dušan Hájek, Pavol Kozma (later final drummer of Collegium) and Peter Szapu) recorded album called "Na druhom programe sna". Formation with bassguitarist Ivan Belák, drummer Peter Szapu and guitarist Andrej Horváth were broken up in 1977 after incongruity. In 1978 Varga wrote first slovak rock musical called "Cyrano z predmestia". In December 1977 original members of Collegium Musicum (again Marián Varga, Fedor Frešo, Dušan Hájek) record new album called "Continuo". With band played too Ľudovít Nosko and Karel Witz. In 1979 Collegium Musicum playing again with new formation (Marián Varga/Fedor Frešo with drummer Pavol Kozma and guitarist Peter Peteraj). They record album "On a ona" with singer Pavol Hammel. In 1981 Collegium Musicum recorded final album "Divergencie" again in new final formation. The band were broken up and Marian Varga join solo career. Collegium Musicum made first comeback in 1997 (Marián Varga, Fedor Frešo, Dušan Hájek with guest guitarist Andrej Šeban. Current comeback (2008/2009) of Collegium Musicum are with Marián Varga, Fedor Frešo, František Griglák and guest drummer Martin Valihora. .