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Zbynek Mateju, born in Rychnov-Nad-Kneznou on May 1st, 1958, is a graduate of the grammar school, Prague Conservatoire as well as the Academy of Performing and Dramatic Arts, then he has studied in West.
At an early age of 15, he was already the winner of a national composers’ competition hosted by Radio Czechoslovakia. Up to date, his professional career as composer has yielded as many as 15–20 major national and international prizes.
During 1991, at the age of 33, Mateju attained Professorship at the Prague Conservatory. Later he taught at the Conservatory of Tours, France, and also composed for French orchestras and ensembles by commissions.
Later he was asked for professorships in U.S.A (Long Beach University and State University of Oregon). He prefered to stay in Europe for his signed contracts. In 2001 was published a book: "Clarinet Music of Zbynek Mateju" by George Stoffan in Washington.
Following his winning the International Composers Competition "Donauballett" in 1994, he was awarded a commission with the Holland Dance Festival — composing music for the choreographer Martin Muller, Nederlands Dans Theater. That same year, he also won the Prix Radio Bohemia, on account of his music for Pierre-Henri Cami’s ‘Minicomedies’. In 1999 he got the Prize of UNESCO via the Czech Music Council for his stage works. Last prize is from April 2007 — Prize of Audience (komposition Kevel for choreographer Jan Kodet).This work is nominated for the main prize in other competition of donator Sazka at this time.
Among his professional achievements in Germany, the two most prominent are a commission from the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, as well as him being selected as the contemporary adaptor of the opera "Ezio" by J.A. Hasse, performed at the 250th anniversary celebration of the Markgrafisches Opernhaus in Bayreuth (premiered during one of the well known opera festival in Bayreuth).
His works are in repertoire of National Theatres in Europe, in dramaturgy well known orchestras etc. His film scores are regullary nominated for prizes in film festivals. Mateju´s first work for film has got The Eurovision Prize.