With the trio's later pianist Jan Panenka Suk recorded the entire collection of Beethoven's sonatas and their recording of Shostakovich's sonata for viola and piano was the very first. As a violist he often cooperated with the Smetana Quartet, mostly as second viola. Another remarkable partnership was with the harpsichordist prof. Zuzana Růžičková. They were close friends and within many concerts they made many recordings, for example Bach's and Händel's sonatas. They were also dedicated a sonata by Růžičková's husband, Viktor Kalabis. Josef Suk also collaborated with Julius Katchen and János Starker when recording Brahms's trios and sonatas. In 1974, as a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of birth of his grandfather Josef Suk, he founded the Suk Chamber Orchestra. Suk acted as its leader and conductor till 2000. He held the title of Meritorious Artist and since 1977 the title of National Artist. In 2002 he was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour. Josef Suk died on 6 July 2011, aged 81, of prostate cancer and was buried in Prague, the Vyšehrad cemetery.