Mr. Eben grew up in the South of the Czech Republic, was raised in the Catholic spirit, although he was of Jewish origin. He learned to play the piano, cello, and organ. in 1944 got into Buchenwald, where he was lucky to survive. After the war, he entered the Prague Academy of Music, where he studied composition and piano. in 1955 started teaching at Charles University in Prague (University Karlova v Praze). Since 1978 taught composition at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Since 1990 - President of the "Prague Spring" festival.Mr. Eben became famous for his piano and organ improvisations in the cathedrals of Westminster, Paris (Notre Dame de Paris), etc. The composer took his creative ideas from Czech and Moravian folklore and sacred hymns. Mr. Eben's works are heard at major European music festivals in Salzburg, Avignon, etc.
