Smetana 200 - A Grand Gala Celebration

From the gala concert celebrating Bedrich Smetana’s 200 years birthday. Bedrich Smetana is recognized as „The Father of Czech music“. Internationally best known for his opera „Bartered Bride“ and the symphonic poem „My fatherland“ with popular „Vltava“ or „Moldau“. Smetana composed music from the age of six and we are proud to present a vital and diverse composer who has given us the powerful and heroic drama about the Viking king „Hakon Jarl“, which in the gala performance is followed by the most insane concert. version of „Dance of the Comedians“ with the famous circus group „Cirk La Putica“. The Czech Philharmonic String Quartet plays the heartbreaking musical story from Smetana‘s own life, losing three daughters and his wife Katharina. That incident inspired him to compose „From my life“. Pianist Ivo Kahaneck, on the contrary, reminds us of the cheerful and clever dancer Smetana, with a polka. At the end of the gala concert a premiere from violinist star Jan Maráček and the Czech Philharmonic: An enchanting first night performance of an orchestral version of Smetana‘s concerto for violin and piano orchestrated especially for this event. The gala concert takes place in Smetana‘s hometown, charming Litomysl and with one of Europe‘s best orchestras, the Czech Philharmonic conducted by Jakub Hrůša.