Thu, 7. 3. 2019, 7.00 p.m.

A4 VIOLIN CONCERTO

Venue: Zlín Congress Centre  |  Organizer: Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů, o.p.s.  | 

Many music specialists consider Jan Novák one of the most talented and striking figures of Czech post-war music. Born in Nová Říše near Telč, he emigrated with his family from the then Czechoslovakia after the events of August 1968 and his work was blacklisted and rarely performed. It was only after 1989 that Novák was posthumously rehabilitated and his musical legacy justly recognised. He completed his Philharmonic Dances in 1956 and subsequently dedicated the work to to the newly established Brno symphony orchestra.

Max Bruch's G-minor concerto in the Romantic style, one of the world's best loved and most frequently performed violin concertos, was written in 1866 and revised the following year with the leading violinist Joseph Joachim. It is because it was "made to measure" for such an accomplished violinist that it is so technically demanding. The concerto stands out for its rich melodiousness, exceptional charm and colourful musicality. The piece is performed by Olga Šroubková, a key figure in the up-and-coming generation of Czech violin virtuosos and winner of last year's Prague Spring international music competition.

In the second half of tonight's concert we hear Sergei Prokofiev's fifth symphony which he designated Opus 100. The composer described this four-movement work written during the Second World War and scored for large orchestra as - in his words - a hymn to free and happy man, the triumph of the human spirit hopeful of an optimistic future. Conducting the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic tonight is its Chief Conductor Tomáš Brauner.