About me
“Life is the best school of life.”
– Jára Cimrman
Štěpán Jinek (b. 2004) has been playing the bassoon since the age of six. He began his musical education at the Taussigova Elementary School of Arts in Prague, initially studying with the school's director Bedřich Kameník, and later continuing his training with bassoonist Luboš Fait.
He gained recognition at an early age through success in a number of prestigious performance competitions. His achievements include first prize and the title of absolute winner at the National Competition of the Czech Ministry of Education (2018) and at the International Wind Instruments Competition in Brno (2022). At the International Competition Pro Bohemia Ostrava (2023), he was awarded first prize, the title of absolute winner, and a special jury prize for his performance of Antonín Reicha's Variations for Bassoon.
From 2019 to 2025, he studied at the Prague Conservatory in the class of Ondřej Roskovec, principal bassoonist of the Czech Philharmonic. He graduated with a solo performance with the Prague Conservatory Symphony Orchestra at Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum. Since 2025, he has been continuing his studies at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim (Germany) with Prof. Ole Kristian Dahl.
As a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player, he has collaborated with a number of leading Czech ensembles, including the PhilHarmonia Octet and orchestras such as Prague Philharmonia, the Pilsen Philharmonic, the South Bohemian Philharmonic, the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Czech Philharmonic. In 2022, he appeared as a soloist with Prague Philharmonia. He has also premiered works by Petr Wajsar and Jiří Trtík.
From 2022 to 2025, he was a member of the Orchestral Academy of Prague Philharmonia and also taught at the Taussigova Elementary School of Arts in Prague. He is a member of the Czech Double Reed Society and regularly participates in its masterclasses and seminars.
He collaborates regularly with the Czech Student Philharmonic, performing in both educational and subscription concerts of the Czech Philharmonic. In addition to the bassoon, he also plays the piano and organ, and is occasionally active as an arranger and composer.
Awards
“If I don’t praise myself, no one will do it for me.”
– Jára Cimrman
- 2024 | 2nd Prize
International Woodwind Performance Competition Brno, 4th category - 2023 | 1st Prize
Camerata Teplice – chamber ensemble Oktkoťátka - 2023 | 1st Prize and Laureate Title
International Performance Competition Pro Bohemia Ostrava - 2023 | Special Jury Prize for the performance of Antonín Rejcha’s Variations
International Performance Competition Pro Bohemia Ostrava - 2022 | 1st Prize and Overall Winner
International Woodwind Performance Competition Brno - 2021 | 1st Prize
Competition Showcase of the Czech Double Reed Society - 2019 | 2nd Prize
Pardubice Winds - 2018 | 1st Prize and Overall Winner
National Competition of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) in Bassoon Performance - 2018 | 1st Prize
Competition Showcase of the Czech Double Reed Society - 2017 | 1st Prize
Competition Showcase of the Summer Bassoon Academy - 2016 | 2nd Prize
Competition Showcase of the Summer Bassoon Academy - 2015 | 1st Prize
National Competition of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) in Bassoon Performance - 1st Prize
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MŠMT) Competition in Chamber Music with a Predominance of Wind Instruments, school and regional rounds – Bassoon Duo - Special Jury Prize for the Interpretation of the Bassoon Part
Dřevohraní
Articles
“We can argue about it, we can disagree with it, but that’s about all we can do.”
– guide at the Museum of Feathers Liptákov
30 April 2025 – Alena V. Kunčíková, Opera Plus
"(...) On 14 April (2025), an exceptional concert was held at the Rudolfinum featuring two top graduates, pianist Anna Pham and bassoonist Štěpán Jinek, accompanied by the Prague Conservatory Symphony Orchestra."
11 April 2025 – Klasika Plus
“The Symphony Orchestra of the Prague Conservatoire is preparing a representative concert in the Dvořák Hall of the neighbouring Rudolfinum. Pianist Anh Pham Quynh and bassoonist Štěpán Jinek will appear as soloists. On 14 April, the ensemble will be conducted by its director, Miriam Němcová.”
26 February 2025 – Opera Plus
“The all-school audition also brought forth two names of exceptional performers who are completing their studies this year in the form of a graduation recital. In Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, pianist Anh Pham Thuy Quynh will perform, and the solo part in Rossini’s Bassoon Concerto will be taken on by Štěpán Jinek. The artistic preparation of the concert has been undertaken by conductor Miriam Němcová.”
18 February 2025 – Jiří Bezděk, Opera Plus
“The Prague Philharmonia Orchestra performed the piece in a charming way, both technically and interpretatively.
The character of the work was captured by conductor Gemma New by shaping all its sections into distinct musical images. Within them, solos by, for example, bassoonist Štěpán Jinek and horn players Mikuláš Koska and Adéla Psohlavcová stood out.”
2 December 2023 – Jan Venclík, Opera Plus
“The Czech Student Philharmonic presented itself with a truly fine professional performance. There were only a few flaws, or they were insignificant; the solo entries of the flute (Eliška Bošková), oboe (Kateřina Trumpešová) and bassoon (Štěpán Jinek) were particularly successful.”
12 May 2023 – Adéla Lelková, Opera Plus
“The final piece of the evening will be London Trio No. 3 in G major by J. Haydn. This work will be performed by oboist Tereza Tourková, bassoonist Štěpán Jinek and flutist Eliška Bošková...”
1 August 2022 – Jan Fila, Opera Plus
“As part of the regular Tuesday concerts of the Musica varia festival, on Tuesday 2 August from 5:00 p.m. in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Božena Němcová Square in Jablonec, there will be a concert by bassoonist Štěpán Jinek and organist Ondřej Valenta. Works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi will be performed.”