Three concerts of Czech 20th and 21st century music took place during the second and third week of the Days of Contemporary Music festival. All of them were held in the halls of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.
The festival has since long been focusing on premiering new pieces and the concert on November 7 was no exception. Obsession by David Lukáš (*1981) was performed for the first time by Kristina Vaculová (flute) and Stanislav Slavíček (piano). The audience also had a chance to hear music by Martin Klusák, Jiří Matys, Karel Husa, Elena Kiral and Jiří Smutný.
Four compositions received their world premiere on November 9 – Ricercar for Organ Solo by Pavel Kopecký (*1949) played by Dorothea Fleischmannová, Sonata for Cello and Piano by Karel Janovický (*1930) played by Jitka Vlašánková and Karel Košárek and Schooling and A Door by Jan Kasal (*1923). These two melodramas on texts by Miroslav Holub were performed by Alfréd Strejček (recitation), Jiří Boušek (flute), Karel Řehák (viola), Pavel Chovanec (organ) and Marie Bartošová (piano). Music by Ivo Bláha, Vlastimil Peška and Tomáš Svoboda completed the program.
Concert of orchestral and spiritual music organized in collaboration with the Music Centre of West Bohemia on November 14 was opened with a world premiere of Concerto for Cello and Orchestra by Karel Pexidr (*1929). The renowned Petr Nouzovský was accompanied by Quattro Chamber Orchestra conducted by Marek Štilec. The second half of the evening was dedicated to O, Mother Earth, oratorio by Zdeněk Zahradník (*1936) performed by not only the Quattro Orchestra, but also by Akademičtí komorní pěvci choir, Kristina Kubová (mezzosoprano), Petr Kolář (bass) and Dagmar Kolařová (organ).
The remaining festival concerts will take place on November 21, 23, 24 and 30.
Days of Contemporary Music
7th November 2016, Gallery, HAMU, Prague
David Lukáš: Obsession (world premiere)
9th November 2016, Martinů Hall, HAMU, Prague
Pavel Kopecký: Ricercar for Organ Solo (world premiere)
Karel Janovický: Sonata for Cello and Piano (world premiere)
Jan Kasal: Schooling, A Door (world premiere)
14the November 2016, Martinů Hall, HAMU, Prague
Karel Pexidr: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (world premiere)
Zdeněk Zahradník: Oh, Mother Earth (world premiere)