Presenting successful participants

in the Antonin Kubalek Piano Courses and their guests
Under the patronage of pianist Ivo Kahanek

For four years, young people from six countries (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada, Lithuania, Monte Negro and Poland) all over the world have been coming to a small town situated near the border with Poland. The audience from Jesenik, Zlate Hory and Bruntal regions have had the opportunity to admire their piano art. However, some of these pianists surpassed the others to a great extent in terms of their interpretation skills, and we would like to give these participants the opportunity to further present themselves, i.e. at places other than those mentioned above. Similarly, Antonin Kubalek presented an outstanding student of JAMU in Brno David Schmied (who was a student of conservatory at that time) in the framework of the project called Czech Music 2004. A minicycle called "Antonin Kubalek Presents Young Artists" was backed by the Ministry of Culture, then. Selected pianists will invite their colleagues to make the concert even more attractive to general public in terms of its programme. In the project, representatives of Lithuanian Academy will also take part. The Academy sent four students to the Piano Courses, and three of them were awarded the highest prize - the most rounded pianist of the courses. We still do not know the name of the pianist to be chosen by the Academy to participate in our project. Headmistress Laima Bakiene has taken time to think till the end of 2006. We can also look forward to performances given by professional artists, such as Ivo Kahanek, who was a pedagogue in the 4th year of the Courses, as well as actors - reciters - e.g. Jiri Bednar. For the time being, we are not able to describe the programme in details, but generally we will present works by Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven and W. A. Mozart; from contemporary authors we would select Vlastimil Lejsek with his close relation to Jesenik region.

Why have we chosen the works by Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart and Lejsek?

The name of Franz Schubert, whose 210th birth anniversary we are celebrating in January, is closely connected with our region. Both his parents came from our region. His mother was born in Zlate Hory, where Antonin Kubalek Piano Courses have been held for four years. Also the school, where every year in July the tones of piano and other musical instruments drift from, has been named after the composer. From Schubert's work we would like to present a selection from song cycles that express the nature of the Vienna spirit in songs and are ranked with the greatest works blending words and music.

In March 2007, 180 years will have passed since the death of outstanding composer Ludwig van Beethoven. It is known that Franz Schubert admired him, but he did not find the courage to meet Beethoven personally, even though he lived for many years close to him. Hopefully, he would be pleased to find Beethoven's name next to his own on a concert programme. And what work will we choose for our concerts? It will definitely be one of the famous sonatas.

In 2006, we prepared a cycle with young artists to pay homage to the best genius of all time Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which was called BRAVO, MOZART! At that time, arias from well-known operas or the performance of Mozart's songs pleased the audience. In our programme we will not forget his piano work. We also consider including a string quartette. The programme will be accompanied by the recitation of Seifert's poems and reading from a book called "Mozart in Letters" by F. Bartos. We will co-operate with a theatre in Sumperk that will lend us historical costumes.

Vlastimil Lejsek, even though a native of Brno, is closely related to the modern "music history" of Jesenik region. Together with his wife Vera and Alois Slozil they established the International Piano Competition for piano duets in Jesenik - Spa bearing the name of Franz Schubert. Picturesque corners of our region inspired Lejsek to many compositions of various sizes. From his work we will select not only solo compositions, such as Moon Suite, but also compositions for four hands and for two pianos (Brazilian Dances).

Press: HUDEBNI ROZHLEDY: "On 17 March in Jesenik – in the Chapel..."
 

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Under the patronage of Olomoucky Kraj

Prepared by Jarmila Pohlova 30 November 2006