HARBOUR > COMPOSITIONS

áchym’s professional journey into the world of music began at the age of 25, when he started his studies under the composer and violist Ondřej Štochl at the Jan Deyl Conservatory. He graduated with a degree focusing on the works of Steve Reich, a pivotal figure of musical minimalism whose influence still resonates in Jáchym’s own rhythmic sensibilities.

His work is characterized by a deep fascination with the rhythm of speech and the intersection of sound and text. Whether setting his own poetry to music or drawing from classical literary masters, Jáchym treats the word not just as content, but as a musical instrument. His compositions have been performed by ensembles such as Ensemble Terrible and Konvergence, and featured at festivals like Music Olomouc and Forfest. Notably, his work “How to Paint the Likeness of a Bird” was honored by the Association of Czech Music Artists and Scientists.

CHAMBER MUSIC

Records of chamber works where instrumentation takes the lead. While some pieces lean towards literary‐musical fusions, the dialogue between the instruments remains the primary focus.

How to Paint the Portrait of a Bird – for mezzo-soprano, cello, piano, and narrator. Vocals: Eliška Zajícová, lyrics: Jacques Prévert, translation: Adolf Kroupa. Awarded by the Association of Music Artists and Scientists.

Tears of the Water Dragon – for clarinet and piano. Clarinet: Jiří Mráz, piano: Alena Moravcová. Lyrics and music: Jáchym Novotný.

SOURCES I (The Arrival of Lichošlap) – for flute and piano. Flute: Michaela Pěkníková, piano: Ondřej Štochl.

SOURCES II (Salvation of the Corpse Bride) – for viola and piano. Viola: Ondřej Štochl, piano: Irena Ratkoš-Špinlerová.

Live, Live! – dedicated to Dr. Milada Horáková and the victims of totalitarian regimes – for nonet and percussion. Performed by Ensemble Terrible at Music Olomouc, conducted by Patrik Kako.

The title takes its name from the final letters of Dr. Milada Horáková, a Czech jurist and politician executed by the communist regime in 1950. Written moments before her death, her words "Live, live!" were a testament to hope and the continuity of life.

Metamorphoses – piano quartet (audiovisual composition). Violin: Tereza Horáková, viola: Ondřej Štochl, cello: Ondřej Černý, piano: Jáchym Novotný.
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SOLO WORKS

Intimate works written for a single instrument—from the resonance of the piano to other solo voices, capturing the raw essence of a single musical thought.

Improvisation #2 – harpsichord solo. (This improvisation evolved into the melodrama The Tear, composed for the Mosty soudobé hudby series to commemorate the 120th anniversary of Vladimír Holan’s birth.)

In the Shade of a Flower – recital piece for vibraphone, tubular bells, and percussion. Performed by Vojtěch Vencl.

Monogrammit – recital piece for solo cello. Performed by Jan Miloš Šefl.

A Hundred Faces of Water– recital piece for solo piano. Performed by Jáchym Novotný.

An Ant’s Prayer – piano triptych. Performed by Jáchym Novotný. (Recording from the National Technical Library, From Stars to Stars series).
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WORD & PIANO

A unique space where Jáchym’s spoken word meets piano improvisation. These are not songs, but rather atmospheric dialogues where the music breathes through the recitation.

sound clipping, life clipping – piano improvisation and text: Jáchym Novotný.

Hymn of Praise – piano improvisation and text: Jáchym Novotný.

Winter at Deylák – improvisation and text: Jáchym Novotný.

Sakura (Improvisation #1) – original text and piano: Jáchym Novotný.
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DIGITAL RENDERINGS

A window into works yet to be performed live. These digital renderings from notation software provide a blueprint of the final compositions as they are intended to be heard.

Drum dumm – recital piece for percussion.
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SONIC COLLAGES

Experimental soundscapes born in the digital studio. These recordings use sound manipulation and editing to create textures that defy traditional categorization.

Image of a Bird – study, sonic collage (audiovisual composition).
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Secret 6/10

“Music is not just sound; it is the pulse of the story I am too shy to tell in words alone.”