Benjamin Yusupov will celebrate his jubilee in Brno. Three concerts with five premieres

Benjamin Yusupov, one of today’s most respected contemporary artists, returns to Brno, where seven years ago he was artist in residence for the season. Three concerts await him here: one chamber concert at the Besední dům and two large symphonic concerts at the Janáček Theater.

“His works sound exotic and very close to Europeans at the same time. They are inspired by Central Asian folklore, Jewish music, and African nations. It is this consistently thoughtful synthesis, elevated to a compelling concept, that makes him one of the world’s most respected composers. This is evidenced by the fact that he has written compositions for such stars as Maxim Vengerov, Misha Maisky, Vadim Repin, and Reinhold Friedrich,” said Vítězslav Mikeš, dramaturg of the Brno Philharmonic.

Perhaps the most anticipated event is the world premiere of the Kreutzer Sonata (Homage to Leoš Janáček), which Yusupov composed as a co-commission of the Brno Philharmonic and the Leoš Janáček Foundation. “This collaboration – I hope – will enrich the audience’s perception of Janáček’s music, when it will be heard in novel programmatic combinations with works composed in Janáček’s honor or inspired by his legacy. Both renowned international composers and Czech composers of various generations will be invited to create works,” said Ludmila Němcová, Director of the Leoš Janáček Foundation.

Wednesday’s concert at Besední dům will feature four chamber works by Yusupov, all of them in their Czech premiere. Since Yusupov is not only a composer, but also a conductor and pianist, the main role will be played by the piano, which will be joined by Dennis Russell Davies, the chief conductor of the Brno Philharmonic, his artistic and life partner Maki Namekawa, and Jan Vojtek with his Trio Bohémo.

In addition to the world premiere, the following two days at the Theater will also feature Yusupov’s Concerto for two clarinets and orchestra, Images of the Soul, and in the second half Brahms’ Symphony No.4.

CONCERT PROGRAM

AT THE CROSSROADS OF CULTURES 23 November 2022. Besední dům, 19.00

BENJAMIN YUSUPOV

Cultures of the Past, 8 pieces for four-hand piano, Czech premiere

From Jewish Traditions (Piano Trio No. 2), Czech premiere

Sonata for two pianos, Czech premiere

Haqqoni (Crossroads No.4) for clarinet, piano trio and soundtrack, Czech premiere

Maki Namekawa piano

Dennis Russell Davies piano

Benjamin Yusupov piano, electronics

Marek Švejkar clarinet

Trio Bohémo: Matouš Pěruška violin, Kristina Vocetková cello, Jan Vojtek piano

IMAGES OF THE SOUL

24 and 25 November 2022, Janáček Theater, 19.00

BENJAMIN YUSUPOV

Kreutzer Sonata (Homage to Leoš Janáček) for orchestra, commissioned by the Brno Philharmonic with financial support from the Leoš Janáček Foundation, world premiere

Images of the Soul, concerto for two clarinets and orchestra, Czech premiere

JOHANNES BRAHMS

Symphony No.4 in E minor Op. 98

Lukáš Daňhel clarinet

Lukáš Dittrich clarinet

Brno Philharmonic Orchestra

conductor Dennis Russell Davies