Towards New horizons with Dan Bárta
Delight generated by virtuosity and fascinating experiments, by representatives of various musical genres’ mutual respect and attentiveness and collective exploration – the next Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra concert at the Municipal House’s Smetana Hall promises all of this.
The PRSO will take a step towards “new horizons” (as the orchestra’s popular series is called) on 1 February alongside string specialists in the “crossover” field, members of the Epoque Quartet, the outstanding singer Dan Bárta, and Jan Kučera, a conductor and composer in one.
It will be an original evening, delivering as it will three world premieres at once. Martin Kumžák, known for among other things leading the group Pajky Pajk and the Moondance Orchestra, which performs in the StarDance contest, has written the piece Helix for the occasion. What does the name suggest? An infinite spiral curve of experiences and perceptions.
For his part the multitalented musician Petr Wajsar has taken inspiration from a visit to Košice, the city’s atmosphere and inhabitants in composing the Gypsy Overture for String Quartet and Orchestra.
And Jan Kučera, a long-term colleague and friend of the gentlemen from the Epoque Quartet, has prepared for the evening the premiere version (again for quartet and symphony orchestra) of his piece Origin, flowing with a minimalistic, pulsating rhythm.
A great deal of anticipation will undoubtedly be focused on the performance of Dan Bárta. The Epoque Quartet has been cooperating with him and Illustratosphere since 2011.
It will certainly be interesting to be there when the PRSO takes the place of the acclaimed singer’s group! Arranger Filip Jelínek is also genuinely curious. “During interpretations of those three songs, Illustratosphere, particularly their rhythms, were always a crucial part of the final form. The chance to work without those very pillars – and at the same time the desire to maintain the songs’ personality, pulse and firmness – has been an enormous challenge to me…”
And take heed: the first evening of February will also see world renowned greats such as Edward Elgar and Pat Metheny appear in abstract form at the Smetana Hall.
Have we whetted your appetite? If so, come to the Municipal House on Monday 1 February. We start at 19:30. TICKETS
