Iva Bittová
Musician
Iva Bittová was born in Bruntal, northern Moravia now the Czech Republic. Her parents were both musicians. Her mother was a pre-school teacher who spent most of her life with her family; her father Koloman Bitto - Bittov - was a musician strongly influenced by the county of his birth - southern Slovakia. His main instruments were string bass, cimbalom, guitar and trumpet. This exceptional ability to play almost any instrument he laid his hands on, whether performing in classical or folk music styles, proved a major influence on his three daughters as they grew up. Both of Iva’s sisters - Ida and Regina - are professional drama and music performers. Iva attended drama pre-school, specialising in violin and ballet and later graduated in drama and music at the Music Conservatory in Brno. During her studies, Iva took part-time engagements as an actress and musician. Later on, while working full time in theatre, she re-kindled her interest in playing violin, an instrument she had set aside in her younger years. After her father’s early death, she decided to follow in his professional footsteps as an instrumentalist and by composing her own music.
In 1982, Iva started studying with Professor Rudolf Stastny, the first violin of the Moravian String Quartet. In the intervening years the violin has become her life’s passion and the most inspiring musical instrument in her professional life. Iva firmly believes that, as playing the violin places extreme demands on musicians, the composer’s work depends utterly on commitment and diligence. She works in a range of musical genres, including jazz, rock, classical and opera. Everyday life inspires her music and interpretations, the inspiration being total silence and an absolutely positive atmosphere. She says “The violin accompanies me all the time. Everything around me is under its influence. There are difficult pieces to practice from which I gain discipline, confidence, and self-control - and a healthy measure of doubt.” She now lives and works in the United States with her younger son Antonín - also a dedicated musician and another chip off the Bitto block.
