Michal Müller, is presently the only educated zither player and teacher of the concert zither in the Czech Republic. He studied the classical zither at the Conservatory of Vienna. He belongs to the most progressive zither players of the world.
As solo player is Michal most popular for his personal expression and aprroach to the instrument. His music is based on slavic folk motives, classical music, as well as on blues, jazz, world music, ambient music, and free improvisation. He also arranges a wide spectrum of musical genres for zither. In music he prefers free realisation and opportunity to show his individuality with a great recspect to history and tradition. He sings very often too. "Zither is simply my own instrument through I can express myself, through I can speak."
He cooperates with musicians of different music styles (Jan Heinke, Ivan Acher, Njorek, Musica Instrumentalis Schwerin, Jitka Šuranská, Magic Zither Project by TFF Rudolstadt, Windros Festival Orchester, Mario Rinnerthaler, Karel Růžička, Miloš Dvořáček, Ivan Acher), he improvizes with expressive dancers and poets, writes and records music for movies and theatre, cooperates with radio and television.
By the International Ernst-Volkmann Zither contest 2004 in Munich Michal Müller won a Jury Special Price for his unconventional and unique zither playing.
He lectures many zither workshops in Germany, Austria, Slovenia and also in the Czech Republic every year, as well as privat and Skype lessons. Under his label Flugzeug records he produces own music and in his studio arise more different mostly acoustic musical projects.
Some words about his works:
ZITHERBAU WÜNSCHE
A long-time cooperation with zither-makers from Markneukirchen in Germany. Exceptional handcrafted instruments for traditional and modern musicians. The newest product is an hollowbody electric zither in alt-zither tuning. "http://www.zitherbau-wuensche.de"
JAN HEINKE - Steelcello, aliquot singing + MICHAL MÜLLER - -Zithers
Experimental ambient music with awesome sounds and colours.
BabyLaterna, 2022-
Theatre performance for babies directed by Hana Strejčková, sound design and music by Michal Müller
LOST THINGS, 2021-
Theatre performance directed by Hana Strejčková, sound design and music by Michal Müller
INSECT HOTEL BZZZ..., 2020-
Theatre performance directed by Hana Strejčková, sound design and music by Michal Müller
Opera STERNENHOCH - Ivan Acher, 2018-
Contemporary opera composed by Ivan Acher based on grotesk romaneto written 1928 by Ladislav Klíma. Critics voted it as the Best performance of the year 2018 in Czech Republic. Produced for the New Stage of the National Theatre in Prague
THE STARROWERS, 2018-
Interactive motion theatre performance directed by Hana Strejčková, soud design and live music performed by Michal Müller (zithers, mapple log - percussion). Attending on International Fringe Festival Beer Sheva/Israel/2019
MIDNIGHT IN THE BORDERLAND, 2019-
Theatre performance directed by Hana Strejčková, soud design and live music performed by Michal Müller (zithers, mapple log - percussion)
WINDROS FESTIVAL
Michal was a part of the festival project in 2014 and 2015 together with Wolfgang Meyering (D), Michael Waterstadt(D), Phoenix (DK), Poul Hoxbro(DK), Christine Lauterburg(CH), Brendan Power(AUS/UK), Radim Zenkl (USA/CZ), Jan Heinke(D), Alan Doherty(IRL), Dimitris Varelopoulos(GR), Valentin Arnold(AT), Kristian Bugge(DK), Petr Eget(DK), Tünde and Geza Fabri(HU), Ernst Poets(D) . "http://www.windros-festival.de"
JITKA ŠURANSKÁ
Violin und voice, moravian folk songs. Cooperation on her CD-production "Nezachod slunecko",which won the World Music Award "Andel 2014".
CANTO DI COSMO(D)
Multiinstrumentalist Heinz Grobmeier and percussionplayer Helmut Kaiser.
MUSICA INSTRUMENTALIS SCHWERIN - Pure Barock music. Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2010.
"MAGIC ZITHER"
A Magic project on World Music Festival TFF Rudolstadt 2004. The Magic instrument of this year was the Zither.
Different kinds of zithers, different cultures, different music styles...
Musicians from the whole world played their instruments together.
The Magic two hours concert was broadcasted Live at mdr.
Together with: Mei Han(CHN/CAN), Randy Raine Reusch(CAN), Timo Väänänen(FIN), Andrew Cronshaw(GB),Antal Racz(HUN), Abdullah Chhadeh(SY), Ibaa Abu Khalaf(PSE), Bernard O´Neil(GB)
ERNST VOLKMANN - PREIS, Munich 2004
Concert Zither contest
Michal Müller won a Jury Special Price in Popular music, for his unconventional and unique zither playing.
NJOREK(2003-now)
Stringed Trio:
Michal Müller - zither, voice
Jaroslav Olin Nejezchleba - cello, voice
Standa Barek - guitar, voice
Their repertoire are self-arranged moravian folk-themes. Nomination for the World Music Award "Andel 2005"
ZRCADLOVÉ SESTRY (Mirror sisters)2003-2005
Sandra and Nikol, two very distinctive, completely different, terse voices with Ostravas' and Jablunkovs' dialect, sound together with grooving piano and Michals' stressed tones. They compose their own music and write own texts... You must hear this!
Who plays on Zither the Third Man theme in a gangster-bar in the movie xXx ? (2002)
Occastional collaboration with the ORF (Austrian National Radio) For example, the children's programme "Music ABC" or the programme for the presentation of "Read Czech Literature Europe". (2000 - 2001).
BOX-TV - original soundtrack to a document about the Czech-Saxony Switzerland (2001).
ARD - Michal recorded a soundtrack for dokument about Wienna.
MINDUSTRY(2000) - elekro-dance-core. This music is built upon an electronic base and completed with drums, electric guitar and distorted singing. Michal occasionally appears with this group as a guest electric zither player.
Ernst Volkmann - Zither maker from Ingolstadt Possibly because Michal was a little out-spoken about the production of his zithers, Ernst Volkmann retaliated by making him a Psalter zither with Viennese strings, which went way beyond his expectations.
Zim.503
Michal Müller (zither) and Mario Rinnerthaler (percussion). 1999-2000 Three numbers from this project consisting mostly of improvisation are to be found in Michals album, which is also called Zim. 503.
Wiener Zitherensemble - Hannelore Laister. CMichal Müller has been an active member of this zither ensemble since 1996 to 2001. It is involved in original as well as arranged zither literature in diverse musical styles. www.wiener-zitherensemble.at
Vienna Walks and Talks(1999-2001)
A guided tour through the shooting places of the world famous movie "The Third Man".
Richard Anstey
Musician, composer and friend, who we miss a lot. He died unexpectedly in Autumn 2004. On his CD "2000 Years in the Footsteps of Jesus", you can find two pieces with a densely interwoven by zither music (Wedding Song, Road to Dammesek), similarly like on his project "Discord on the Danube", which he finished but unfortunately did not come in time for production. www.blueminor-records.com