Dvořák at the Postal Court
The music of Antonín Dvořák symbolically returns to the Postal Court, where the European premiere of his Symphony “From the New World” took place in 1894. The program includes the Largo from this celebrated symphony, performed by a wind nonet, and Dvořák’s String Quartet in F major “American”, performed by members of the Czech Philharmonic String Quartet.
Program:
Antonín Dvořák (arr. Ondřej Roskovec): Largo from Symphony no. 9 in E Minor, op. 95 (“From the New World”), in an arrangement for wind nonet
Antonín Dvořák: String Quartet no. 12 in F Major, op. 96 (“American”)
Performed by:
A wind nonet composed of members of the Czech Philharmonic, plus the philharmonic’s string quartet
Artistic director - Ondřej Roskovec
A Wind nonet:
Roman Novotný flétna
Barbora Trnčíková 1. hoboj
Vojtěch Jouza 2. hoboj
Jan Mach 1. klarinet
Tomáš Kopáček 2. klarinet
Ondřej Roskovec 1. fagot
Tomáš Františ 2. fagot, umělecký vedoucí
Mikuláš Koska 1. lesní roh
Hana Sapáková 2. lesní roh
Czech Philharmonic String Quartet:
Irena Jakubcová 1. housle
Petra Brabcová 2. housle
Eva Krestová viola
Václav Petr violoncello
About program
Antonín Dvořák and Karlovy Vary – a combination with a foundation in real life that also possesses a certain poetic symbolism. The famous composer visited here several times during his travels throughout western Bohemia, and it was here, at the Postal Court in 1894, that his New World Symphony was first performed on the European continent. Now this piece symbolically returns to the city that witnessed one of the most important moments in Dvořák’s career. Symfonie č. 9 „Z Nového světa“. Do města, které se tak stalo dějištěm jednoho z důležitých okamžiků Dvořákovy kariéry, se nyní tato hudba symbolicky vrací.
Dvořák’s Symphony no. 9 in E Minor (“From the New World”) and his String Quartet in F Major (“American”) were both written in 1893 during the composer’s time in the United States. The two works have much in common in terms of spirit and melody, characterized by a blending of the simple melodiousness of Czech songs with the new rhythm and energy of America. Their music reflects the joy of discovering, the freedom of the open plains, and a nostalgia for home.
The concert opens with “Largo” from the New World Symphony in an arrangement for wind nonet by the Czech Philharmonic’s bassoonist Ondřej Roskovec. One of the most famous musical motifs of all time, the movement’s slow, touchingly simple English horn melody takes on new colors here. The delicacy, warmth, and lyrical harmony of the wind instruments lend this arrangement a special intimacy.
Dvořák composed his String Quartet in F Major during his summer sojourn in Spillville, Iowa, between completing the New World Symphony and its premiere at New York’s Carnegie Hall. It is a work whose freshness, melodiousness, and rhythmic lightness were inspired by America itself, including African American song and the rhythm of Iowa’s natural landscape – and yet the quartet remains purely Czech in melody and soul.
The general partner of the admission free public concerts in Karlovy Vary is the ČEZ GROUP.
Wind nonet composed of members of the Czech Philharmonic
Ondřej Roskovec is a member of the Czech Philharmonic, where he heads the bassoon section. He is a co-founder of the world-renowned Afflatus Quintet, which won first prize in the ARD’s international competition in Munich, and has performed on stages throughout Europe and Japan. He also teaches bassoon at the Prague Conservatory and is involved in numerous other educational projects.
The Czech Philharmonic has been one of the world’s leading orchestras for 130 years. Its sound, performing tradition, and international renown make it a symbol of Czech musical culture. Under the guidance of conductors such as Václav Talich, Karel Ančerl, and Jiří Bělohlávek, the orchestra has built up an exceptional reputation for its distinctive sound, stylistic sophistication, and ability to combine the classical repertoire with contemporary music.
Czech Philharmonic String Quartet
The Czech Philharmonic String Quartet consists of leading members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra who also perform as soloists and in chamber ensembles. Respected figures on the Czech music scene, they have won awards at numerous foreign and domestic competitions. In terms of musical practice, they continue in the traditional footsteps of the Czech string school, which is characterized by a refined tone, stylistic purity, and a sense for harmony. A natural extension of the Czech Philharmonic’s artistic activities, the quartet is proof that the philharmonic players are not just top-notch orchestral musicians but also distinctive individuals with a profound relationship to chamber music.
Ondřej Roskovec is a member of the Czech Philharmonic, where he heads the bassoon section. He is a co-founder of the world-renowned Afflatus Quintet, which won first prize in the ARD’s international competition in Munich, and has performed on stages throughout Europe and Japan. He also teaches bassoon at the Prague Conservatory and is involved in numerous other educational projects.
The Czech Philharmonic has been one of the world’s leading orchestras for 130 years. Its sound, performing tradition, and international renown make it a symbol of Czech musical culture. Under the guidance of conductors such as Václav Talich, Karel Ančerl, and Jiří Bělohlávek, the orchestra has built up an exceptional reputation for its distinctive sound, stylistic sophistication, and ability to combine the classical repertoire with contemporary music.
Ondřej Roskovec is a member of the Czech Philharmonic, where he heads the bassoon section. He is a co-founder of the world-renowned Afflatus Quintet, which won first prize in the ARD’s international competition in Munich, and has performed on stages throughout Europe and Japan. He also teaches bassoon at the Prague Conservatory and is involved in numerous other educational projects.
The Czech Philharmonic has been one of the world’s leading orchestras for 130 years. Its sound, performing tradition, and international renown make it a symbol of Czech musical culture. Under the guidance of conductors such as Václav Talich, Karel Ančerl, and Jiří Bělohlávek, the orchestra has built up an exceptional reputation for its distinctive sound, stylistic sophistication, and ability to combine the classical repertoire with contemporary music.
The Czech Philharmonic String Quartet consists of leading members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra who also perform as soloists and in chamber ensembles. Respected figures on the Czech music scene, they have won awards at numerous foreign and domestic competitions. In terms of musical practice, they continue in the traditional footsteps of the Czech string school, which is characterized by a refined tone, stylistic purity, and a sense for harmony. A natural extension of the Czech Philharmonic’s artistic activities, the quartet is proof that the philharmonic players are not just top-notch orchestral musicians but also distinctive individuals with a profound relationship to chamber music.
The Czech Philharmonic String Quartet consists of leading members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra who also perform as soloists and in chamber ensembles. Respected figures on the Czech music scene, they have won awards at numerous foreign and domestic competitions. In terms of musical practice, they continue in the traditional footsteps of the Czech string school, which is characterized by a refined tone, stylistic purity, and a sense for harmony. A natural extension of the Czech Philharmonic’s artistic activities, the quartet is proof that the philharmonic players are not just top-notch orchestral musicians but also distinctive individuals with a profound relationship to chamber music.