Brno Philharmonic

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK Slavonic Dances, Selection from Series I, Op. 46 JAN NOVÁK Philharmonic Dances BENJAMIN JUSUPOV Go Tango! ARTURO MÁRQUEZ Danzón (Dance) No. 2 JOHN ADAMS The Chairman Dances (The Chairman Dances), foxtrot for orchestra ALBERTO GINASTERA Danzas (Dances) from the ballet Estancia Brno Philharmonic conductor Dennis Russell Davies

Brno Philharmonic 70 The Brno State Philharmonic was established on January 1, 1956, by the merger of two ensembles: the Brno Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Brno Region Symphony Orchestra. On the same day, a concert was held at the Stadium on Kounicova Street, conducted by Zbyněk Mrkos, featuring works by P. I. Tchaikovsky, but still under the auspices of the regional orchestra. Nevertheless, this event can be considered the de facto concert debut of the Philharmonic, which has been organizing its New Year's concerts regularly since then (with the exception of 2021, when the concert was canceled due to the pandemic), symbolically not only welcoming the arrival of the new year, but also celebrating its birthday, which will be its seventieth in 2026.

FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Calm Sea and Happy Sailing, Overture Op. 27 Hebrides, Overture Op. 26 VÍTĚZSLAV NOVÁK Storm, Sea Fantasy for Large Orchestra, Solo Voices and Mixed Choir on the Poem of the Same Name by Svatopluk Čech Op. 42 Adriana Banásová soprano Tamara Morozová soprano Jaroslav Březina tenor Tadeáš Hoza bass-baritone David Szendiuch bass Jan Šťáva bass Slovak Philharmonic Choir Choirmaster Jan Rozehnal Brno Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor Robert Kružík

FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Calm Sea and Happy Sailing, Overture Op. 27 Hebrides, Overture Op. 26 VÍTĚZSLAV NOVÁK Storm, Sea Fantasy for Large Orchestra, Solo Voices and Mixed Choir on the Poem of the Same Name by Svatopluk Čech Op. 42 Adriana Banásová soprano Tamara Morozová soprano Jaroslav Březina tenor Tadeáš Hoza bass-baritone David Szendiuch bass Jan Šťáva bass Slovak Philharmonic Choir Choirmaster Jan Rozehnal Brno Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor Robert Kružík

Mark Guiliana drums, percussion One of the most prominent cross-genre drummers of our time has a portfolio that anyone could envy. His services have been used by, among others, Avishai Cohen, Brad Mehldau, St. Vincent, David Bowie, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gretchen Parlato, Lionel Loueke and Tigran Hamasyan. But he also has his own solo career and will come to Brno as its protagonist. Mark Guiliana was born in 1980 in New Jersey and attended William Paterson University, where he graduated in jazz in 2003. However, he has a cross-genre, rather conceptual approach to the instrument, thanks to which he was able to create the electric duo Mehliana with Brad Mehldau, who plays synthesizers. Probably Guiliana's most famous work is the album Blackstar, the last work of one of the greatest geniuses of popular music, David Bowie. His playing style is truly "wide-ranging", he has perfectly mastered acoustic jazz playing, he can add rock or funk intensity and directness to his playing, as well as play with the colors of electronic instruments and unusual rhythms typical of progressive and avant-garde music.

Music is very beneficial to health when used properly. This opinion was held by the Greek mathematician, astronomer and philosopher Pythagoras. Since ancient times, the effects of music on humans have been researched and tested in practice countless times, resulting in the emergence and great development of the field of music therapy in our time.

Chamber cycle of members of the Orchestral Academy of the Brno Philharmonic and guests The Orchestral Academy of the Brno Philharmonic is a project that allows young talented musicians – students or recent graduates of music schools accepted on the basis of a selection procedure – to gain orchestral practice in a professional ensemble. In this way, the Philharmonic educates new generations of players who may one day join its ranks. The OAFB has been operating for six seasons and its fruits are already evident: some of its graduates are already members of our orchestra, others regularly return to help out. The importance and value of this experience for the artistic growth of young musicians and for the future of the orchestra is therefore unquestionable.

CARL MARIA von WEBER Abu Hassan, Overture JOHANNES BRAHMS / arr. LUCIANO BERIO Opus 120 No. 1, Sonata No. 1 for Clarinet and Orchestra CARL MARIA von WEBER Concertino in E flat major for Clarinet and Orchestra Op. 26 FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Symphony No. 3 in A minor Op. 56 “Scottish” Sharon Kam clarinet Brno Philharmonic conductor Ivor Bolton Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826), Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847) and Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) are among the pillars of German Romanticism, which began to blossom in Weber’s work, developed in Mendelssohn’s and found the peak of its classical-romantic branch in Brahms’s works, emphasizing music as an absolute art.

CARL MARIA von WEBER Abu Hassan, Overture JOHANNES BRAHMS / arr. LUCIANO BERIO Opus 120 No. 1, Sonata No. 1 for Clarinet and Orchestra CARL MARIA von WEBER Concertino in E flat major for Clarinet and Orchestra Op. 26 FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Symphony No. 3 in A minor Op. 56 “Scottish” Sharon Kam clarinet Brno Philharmonic conductor Ivor Bolton Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826), Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847) and Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) are among the pillars of German Romanticism, which began to blossom in Weber’s work, developed in Mendelssohn’s and found the peak of its classical-romantic branch in Brahms’s works, emphasizing music as an absolute art.

That they sit nicely on chairs at concerts? That they are not allowed to laugh and sing at them? That classical music is not for small children? But no way! This does not apply to our chamber family afternoons, intended for children aged 3–8 and their parents who have not yet forgotten how to play! Play together with the philharmonic orchestra, ask questions during the concert, sing, dance. Everything is allowed. Without barriers and inhibitions, with music among us. Petr Pomkla flute Jaroslav Zouhar trombone Barbara Tolarová violin Kristýna Jungová violin Klára Kunc Hegnerová viola Katarína Madariová cello moderated by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

That they sit nicely on chairs at concerts? That they are not allowed to laugh and sing at them? That classical music is not for small children? But no way! This does not apply to our chamber family afternoons, intended for children aged 3–8 and their parents who have not yet forgotten how to play! Play together with the philharmonic orchestra, ask questions during the concert, sing, dance. Everything is allowed. Without barriers and inhibitions, with music among us. Petr Pomkla flute Jaroslav Zouhar trombone Barbara Tolarová violin Kristýna Jungová violin Klára Kunc Hegnerová viola Katarína Madariová cello moderated by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL Alexander's Feast, Overture LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 in E flat major "Eroica" Op. 55 (selection from the 1st movement - Allegro con brio) AARON COPLAND Lincoln Portrait (selection) DMITRY SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9 in E flat major Op. 70 (1st movement - Allegro), Symphony No. 10 in E minor Op. 93 (2nd movement - Allegro) BEDŘICH SMETANA Fanfares from the opera Libuše Brno Philharmonic conductor Stanislav Vavřínek moderators Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš script by Kristýna Drášilová

GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL Alexander's Feast, Overture LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 in E flat major "Eroica" Op. 55 (selection from the 1st movement - Allegro con brio) AARON COPLAND Lincoln Portrait (selection) DMITRY SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9 in E flat major Op. 70 (1st movement - Allegro), Symphony No. 10 in E minor Op. 93 (2nd movement - Allegro) BEDŘICH SMETANA Fanfares from the opera Libuše Brno Philharmonic conductor Stanislav Vavřínek moderators Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš script by Kristýna Drášilová

Flamenco dancer Maise Márquez has the best credentials in the industry. Her talent is confirmed not only by her artistic education, but also by her numerous engagements on respected stages and prestigious awards.

CÉSAR FRANCK Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra VINCENT d’INDY Symphony on a French Highland Tune Op. 25 for Piano and Orchestra BÉLA BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra Igor Ardašev Piano Brno Philharmonic conductor Lucie Leguay

CÉSAR FRANCK Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra VINCENT d’INDY Symphony on a French Highland Tune Op. 25 for Piano and Orchestra BÉLA BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra Igor Ardašev Piano Brno Philharmonic conductor Lucie Leguay

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major KV 414 (1st movement) KRYŠTOF MAŘATKA Luminarium, Clarinet Concerto and other pieces Maciej Ścierski piano (absolute winner of the Amadeus 2024 competition) Yan Mařatka clarinet (winner of the Leoš Janáček competition 2024) NN winner of the Prague Spring competition 2025 NN winner of the Concertina Praga 2025 Brno Philharmonic conductor Robert Kružík

Jindřich Vlach violin (ZUŠ Veveří) Brno Philharmonic conductor Dominik Pernica moderated by Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš script by Kristýna Drášilová Brno Philharmonic is celebrating its anniversary! It will be seventy, which is just a number in the case of the orchestra. It is still young, fresh, inspiring. And it loves its young and old listeners, for whom it has prepared magnificent celebrations: it will commemorate important moments from its rich history. Be with us!

Jindřich Vlach violin (ZUŠ Veveří) Brno Philharmonic conductor Dominik Pernica moderated by Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš script by Kristýna Drášilová Brno Philharmonic is celebrating its anniversary! It will be seventy, which is just a number in the case of the orchestra. It is still young, fresh, inspiring. And it loves its young and old listeners, for whom it has prepared magnificent celebrations: it will commemorate important moments from its rich history. Be with us!

Kevin Hays piano Thomas Morgan double bass Jeff Ballard drums One of the prominent American pianists of the upper middle generation, fifty-six-year-old Kevin Hays, has had a rich career as both the leader of his own ensembles and a sideman for great names in American jazz. He will come to Brno with a new, excellent trio.

CHRISTIAN SCHMITT CHAMBER WITH THE PHILHARMONIC ARVO PÄRT Annum per annum for organ JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Sonata for viola da gamba and organ in G major BWV 1027 SOFIA GUBAJDULINA Detto I for organ and percussion FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Sonata for organ No. 5 in D major PETR EBEN Windows, four movements for trumpet and organ after Marc Chagall (selection) JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Passacaglia and fugue in C minor BWV 582 Christian Schmitt organ Lukáš Polák cello Radek Tomášek percussion Ondřej Jurček trumpet

PĒTERIS VASKS Gadalaiki (Four Seasons) for piano Baltā ainava (White Landscape) Pavasara mūzika (Spring Music) Zaļā ainava (Green Landscape) Rudens mūzika (Autumn Music) Terezie Vialová piano

PĒTERIS VASKS Cello Concerto No. 1 WILLIAM WALTON / arr. CHRISTOPHER PALMER Hamlet: A Shakespeare Scenario Jiří Bárta cello Simon Callow narrator Brno Philharmonic Rumon Gamba conductor

PĒTERIS VASKS Cello Concerto No. 1 WILLIAM WALTON / arr. CHRISTOPHER PALMER Hamlet: A Shakespeare Scenario Jiří Bárta cello Simon Callow narrator Brno Philharmonic Rumon Gamba conductor

That they sit nicely on chairs at concerts? That they are not allowed to laugh and sing at them? That classical music is not for small children? But no way! This does not apply to our chamber family afternoons, intended for children aged 3–8 and their parents who have not yet forgotten how to play! Play together with the philharmonic orchestra, ask questions during the concert, sing, dance. Everything is allowed. Without barriers and inhibitions, with music among us. Ivana Švestková harp Amálie Švestková harp Marek Švestka double bass Marek Švestka jr. double bass moderated by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

That they sit nicely on chairs at concerts? That they are not allowed to laugh and sing at them? That classical music is not for small children? But no way! This does not apply to our chamber family afternoons, intended for children aged 3–8 and their parents who have not yet forgotten how to play! Play together with the philharmonic orchestra, ask questions during the concert, sing, dance. Everything is allowed. Without barriers and inhibitions, with music among us. Ivana Švestková harp Amálie Švestková harp Marek Švestka double bass Marek Švestka jr. double bass moderated by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

In 2026, the Easter Festival of Sacred Music will reach its 33rd year, thus reaching its fulfillment in the Christian tradition. We firmly hope that in the coming years, the concerts of the Easter Festival will continue to fill Brno's churches and other venues, rejoicing the hearts of their listeners.