Born on November 14, 1970 in Czechoslovakia, Václav Luks is a harpsichordist, horn player, conductor, musicologist, and educator who specializes in baroque music. He is also the founder and artistic director of the Prague baroque orchestra Collegium 1704 and vocal ensemble Collegium Vocale 1704. In the beginning, Luks spent time overseas studying the French horn and piano, even studying ancient keyboard instruments and historical performance practices. He also taught at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague from 1996 to 1999. Between 2001 and 2003, he lectured at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig. In 2005, Luks formed Collegium 1704 and Collegium Vocale 1704, two classical ensembles that focuse on baroque music. Two years after their formation, they began making live appearances at European festivals and concert halls. Luks also collaborated with other international ensembles but most of his focus was on the Collegium 1704 projects. His work in the classical field has helped to focus more attention on previously overlooked Czech composers like Zelenka and Josef Mysliveček. Luk has released several recordings since 2001 including Zelenka: Missa votive (2008), Bach: Mše h moll BWV 232 (2013), Mysliveček: Violin Concertos (2018), and Rameau: Les Boréades (2020).
