We recently connected with Peter Klapka and have shared our conversation below.
Peter, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was leaving my homeland, Czechoslovakia, in 1980. At the time, the country was under a strict communist regime. No one could have imagined that, a decade later, dramatic changes would transform the political landscape.
For me, the decision to leave wasn’t just about stepping into the unknown—it was about walking away from a successful career. I was a composer, recording artist, and the leader of a popular band called Mahagon. On the surface, I had achieved everything I had worked for. But my growing success came with an unspoken expectation: cooperation with the Communist Party. Refusing to comply meant jeopardizing my career, the livelihood of my family, and potentially our safety.
Leaving meant more than abandoning my career. It meant saying goodbye to my parents, friends, colleagues, and the people I had grown up with, knowing I might never see them again. Yet, staying and compromising my principles wasn’t an option. I made the heart-wrenching decision to defect, leaving everything and everyone I loved behind.
For two years, I lived in Munich, West Germany, navigating the complexities of building a new life. Then, a breakthrough came: Berklee College of Music in Boston offered me a full scholarship, recognizing my work as a composer and recording artist. Arriving in the United States marked a new chapter, but the early days were anything but easy. I joined numerous bands, traveling up and down the East Coast, playing gigs wherever I could. Over time, I established my own band and a more stable life in New England.
By 1990, I settled in Southern New Hampshire and founded what would become the Merrimack Music Academy. For 35 years, I’ve had the privilege of running this prestigious music school, sharing my passion with students while continuing to compose, record, and produce my own music.
I’ve never regretted the decision to leave what is now the Czech Republic. Taking that risk gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms and provided a brighter future for my son. The challenges I faced along the way only deepened my gratitude for the opportunities I found in America. For that, I will always be thankful.
Peter, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My musical story began when I was just four years old, learning to play the accordion before transitioning to the piano. By 11, I added guitar to my repertoire, and at 15, I discovered my true love—the bass guitar. At 16, I was accepted into the prestigious Conservatory of Music in Prague, Czech Republic, where I studied composition and conducting.
During my second year, I co-founded a band called Mahagon with fellow students and friends. Inspired by iconic acts like Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, Tower of Power, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Mahagon quickly became one of the most popular bands in its genre within the country. We recorded countless tracks for radio and released two albums, Mahagon and Sunflowers for Vincent van Gogh, under the major label Supraphon.
After relocating to the United States, I quickly realized how different the music scene was. In Czechoslovakia, we played to thousands of attentive fans, while in America, I often found myself performing long sets in clubs where the audience barely noticed the music. Despite the challenges, I formed a band with my then-wife, Zdena, an incredible singer. We even showcased for EMI Records, but by our mid-thirties, we recognized that pursuing a touring career as an opening act wasn’t feasible. After two decades of playing, traveling, and recording, we decided to move in a different direction, culminating in the release of Once Upon a Time, a collection of music from that era.
In 1990, we moved to Southern New Hampshire and founded what would eventually become the Merrimack Music Academy. As the Artistic Director and one of the teachers, I focus on providing students with high-quality private music lessons while fostering a lifelong love and appreciation for music. With 120 students, MMA is now a well-established, prestigious music school serving the Greater Nashua area.
The academy allows me the freedom to compose, record, and produce music without being tied to trends or metrics. Over the years, I’ve released several albums, including Klapka – Version 5.5, Hey, Mister Bassman, and The Tales of a Bass Whisperer. I also composed the White Mountains Symphony, a classical piece for symphonic orchestra.
One of my proudest moments came in 2018, while visiting Prague, when a publishing company contacted me. They sought permission to sample a track from my 1979 album Sunflowers for Vincent van Gogh for a Travis Scott and Pop Smoke collaboration called Gatti. I agreed, never imagining the song would go double platinum and sell millions of copies. It was surreal to see my work from decades ago resonate in a completely new genre and era.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue teaching, composing, and producing music! Perhaps another unexpected collaboration awaits, and I would welcome the opportunity to create more timeless music, whether for my students, fans, or even another song with Travis Scott.
Ultimately, what sets me apart is my ability to blend decades of experience with a passion for innovation. Whether teaching the next generation of musicians or creating new works, I strive to make music that inspires and connects people across time and borders.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I was thrilled when Zach Michael approached me to discuss signing to Elizabeth Music Group, a worldwide publishing administrator that helps me collect my royalties. I truly believe that being part of EMG will be mutually beneficial, and I’m confident that our collaboration has the potential to lead to some incredible music.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being an artist gives me a luxury of doing what I love the most – my music. Teaching other
people to play and appreciate music is priceless. There is nothing like seeing a child
becoming an accomplished musician in front of my eyes one step at a time. I am very lucky
to be able to make a living as an artist and as a music teacher.
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