On 4 January, PKF – Prague Philharmonia gave world premiere to an orchestral version of YIN – Nostalgia and Hope by composer Ondřej Štochl (*1975). Its chamber version for vibraphone and 12 instruments had been premiered 2 years ago in Brno; just like then, the solo part was now played again by the excellent Martin Opršál.
The orchestral transcription maintained the fragility and intimacy Štochl wanted to express in the first place. “The composition is an imprint of a few particular people who play an irreplaceable role in my life. … I call them ‘the Yin angels’. That means angels of understanding, acceptance, resonance, sharing,” the author said. “These days, there is very little quiet, introvert energy associated with the Yin principle. To experience it, you need time, which nobody has.” The splendidly designed dramaturgy also included Claude Debussy’s Petite Suite, Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs with mezzosoprano Angela Brower and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. The orchestra played under the direction of an only twenty-four-year-old Venezuelan conductor Ilyich Rivas.
4 February 2018, Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum
Ondřej Štochl: Yin – Nostalgia and Hope (world premiere of an orchestral version)
PKF – Prague Philharmonia, conductor: Ilyich Rivas