Events

The autumn ballet premiere will serve as the symbolic culmination of an era—marking the final full-length original work by Artistic Director Mário Radačovský during his tenure in Brno.

The upcoming production, titled *The Mask*, represents a striking departure from the grand, sweeping narratives and biographical sagas that have characterized his work to date (such as *Beethoven*, *Coco Chanel*, and *Warhol*). This time, the creator consciously eschews linear storytelling and specific historical facts. The focus shifts away from biographical details to a compelling dialogue between music and the essence of humanity.

The genius of Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt provides the key to a deeper message; the production is conceived as a sequence of scenes that harness the emotional power of waltzes, nocturnes, and rhapsodies—not merely for illustration, but to unmask human nature. Through this virtuosic and emotionally charged music, the work tears away the idealized mask of humanism to reveal an unsettling possibility: that our civilization is but a thin veneer, liable to crumble with unexpected speed. Confronting the modern world, the production poses an urgent question: does latent violence lurk beneath the surface of noble values ​​like justice and tolerance, and does the old social contract still hold? The musical dramaturgy—dominated by solo and concert piano works—will form an inseparable whole with the work’s central concept.

A madcap musical comedy inspired by Monty Python

Who doesn’t know the legendary warrior King Arthur? Or the mythical castle of Camelot, where the Knights of the Round Table gathered to unite a fractured Britain, battle enemies, and ultimately set off together in search of the Holy Grail? We all know the legend. But perhaps things actually happened a little differently…

As part of its "Musical Inventories" concert series, the ensemble traditionally focuses on the (re)discovery and commissioning of works by Czech composers. This year’s programming is dedicated to compositions that blend the worlds of music and theater. Trio Aperto will perform works by Jiří Teml, Karel Odstrčil, Leoš Faltus, Jana Vöröšová, and Vojtěch Dlask.

Kristián Šebek has twice sold out Prague’s Lucerna Hall with his musical project "Můj vzor, ​​Božský Karel" (My Idol, the Divine Karel), and his concerts across the country have been completely sold out for two years running! This year, he is embarking on a tour accompanied by the Slawinski Orchestra, featuring songs you have never heard him perform before and visiting venues where he has never appeared until now!

Audiences can look forward to everything they have come to expect from his concerts. The repertoire will include not only the most famous melodies of his idol, Karel Gott—such as "Stokrát chválím čas," "Lady Karneval," and "Jdi za štěstím"—but also hits by other Czech and international legends like Waldemar Matuška, Frank Sinatra, Jiří Korn, and Elvis Presley. There will also be melodies from films and fairy tales—all perfectly arranged for his orchestra.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: from minute details to the broader context.
What lies behind the image of the "child prodigy" and musical genius?
This program by Miloš Štědroň marks the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and the 235th anniversary of his death.

Miloš Štědroň (b. 1942)
Composer, musicologist, and educator. His personality is characterized by a wide range of interests and a prolific output spanning scholarly, artistic, critical, journalistic, and organizational activities. He summarized the insights gained from a lifetime of studying the life and work of Leoš Janáček in the monograph *Leoš Janáček and 20th-Century Music*. He also focuses on music from the 16th to the 18th centuries, specifically the Renaissance, Mannerist, and Baroque periods. His own compositions span a diverse array of fields and genres; he is also well known for his stage music, having created outstanding works in collaboration with the Husa na provázku Theatre.

Three bands, three distinct musical worlds, and an electrifying club night! The Zámecký pivovar Břeclav Free Night brings together garage-grunge, punk, and soul. Taking the stage will be Brno’s Modrá Laguna, the student punk band Dědečkova volba, and the six-piece Soul Power, a group that thrives on the energy and magic of soul music.

Come discover new music, grab a bite, and enjoy an evening dedicated to live bands!

To cradle your tears in my palms…

The production of Janáček’s *Osud* (Destiny), which opened the Janáček Brno 2020 festival, marks the return of one of the finest opera directors, Robert Carsen. Known for productions acclaimed for their dramatic insight, poetic quality, and visual refinement, Carsen returns to Janáček’s operatic oeuvre to add a sixth title to his cycle of the composer's works—one created specifically for the Janáček Opera of the National Theatre Brno. From the very first notes of the orchestral waltz in the *Osud* overture, we are transported into the midst of refined spa society; here, simple, natural prose gives way to the language of decadent poets, as Janáček was inspired to write the opera by a beautiful woman—twenty-eight-year-old Kamila Urválková—whom he met in August 1903 at his beloved spa resort of Luhačovice. Kamila confided in Janáček about her love affair with the composer Čelanský, who had depicted his own romantic disillusionment in an opera titled *Kamila*. Janáček was so captivated by Kamila’s charm that he resolved to create a "completely new, modern opera" that would redeem her image. He described *Osud* not as an opera, but as "three novelistic episodes," placing the audience in a setting vastly different from that of his earlier works; following *Jenůfa*, Janáček’s fourth opera, *Osud*, represents a bold musical and dramaturgical foray into new territory.

SPH 2 – Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION WINNERS: ALINDE QUINTET

Antonín Rejcha: Wind Quintet in F major, Op. 88 No. 6

Tomáš Borl: Wind Quintet (2025) – world premiere

Leoš Janáček: Suite from the opera *The Cunning Little Vixen* (arr. Jaroslav Pelikán)

Edvard Hagerup Grieg: Norwegian Dances (arr. David Walter)

ALINDE QUINTET (Winner of the 2024 ARD International Competition in Munich; laureate of the 2023 Carl Nielsen International Competition in Copenhagen)

(Anna Talácková – flute, Barbora Trnčíková – oboe, David Šimeček – clarinet, Kryštof Koska – French horn, Petr Sedlák – bassoon)

Gerald Clark – guitar, harmonica, vocals; Jiří Maršíček – guitar, vocals

South African guitarist Gerald Clark is a storyteller. He plays high-energy rock 'n' roll, with occasional forays into the blues. He brings playfulness, infectious enthusiasm, and zest—plus a voice reminiscent of Ray Charles. That playfulness, enthusiasm, and energy are as catching as the winter flu.

There is no calculation here, no forced, sweaty posturing—just joyful music. Gerald Clark is as exuberant and dance-inducing as Ray Charles. He calls himself a bluesman, yet his songs—along with the occasional standard by Freddie King or Muddy Waters—are brisk, driving, and cheerful. It is music that leans more toward rock 'n' roll than standard twelve-bar blues.

He plays his battered Fender with his fingers, folk-style, using a pick only for solos. It is music that lifts the spirits. It is no wonder that back home in South Africa, he has won multiple awards and accolades for best live performance and for his non-commercial, multi-genre music.

Come and play. Drums, keyboards, guitar, and microphones will be provided, along with a bass combo amp. We’ll also gladly plug in and mic up any other instruments.

Emil František Burian: *Vojna* (War) – a folk play with songs and dances based on folk poetry collected by K. J. Erben

Frederic Rzewski: *Coming Together* for narrator and variable ensemble (1971/72)

Part 1: *Coming Together* (1971)
Part 2: *Attica* (1972)
Emil František Burian (1904–1957) ranks among the most remarkable Czech artists of his generation. He exemplifies the avant-garde trends of the interwar period; he was a member of the Devětsil group, collaborated with the Liberated Theatre (*Osvobozené divadlo*), and founded the DADA and D34 theatres. He distinguished himself as an original playwright, director, and composer. Notable examples of his musical-dramatic output include the experimental jazz opera *Bubu from Montparnasse* and the opera *Maryša*, which was inspired by Janáček’s *Jenůfa* (*Její pastorkyňa*).

The 1935 folk play with songs, *Vojna* (War), further demonstrates Burian’s ability to explore new forms within the musical-dramatic genre. In his pursuit of so-called "synthetic theatre," he drew upon his experience with *voiceband* (choral speech), dance, chamber ensembles, folk music, and jazz. The premiere took place in 1935 at the D35 theatre under Burian’s direction, though the work was subsequently banned during the Protectorate era. Burian revisited the piece in the 1950s, revising the instrumentation and staging a revival in 1955. *Vojna* stands as one of the most significant Czech musical projects rooted in folk poetry, placing Burian alongside composers such as Bohuslav Martinů, who were exploring similar themes during that period.

Tim Garland – saxophone
Geoffrey Keezer – piano

The *Mezzo* project, a collaboration between British saxophonist Tim Garland and American pianist Geoffrey Keezer, represents an intersection of the European lyrical tradition and American jazz drive. This partnership is not merely a chance meeting of two virtuosos but a profound dialogue between two musical worlds that complement each other with incredible ease and elegance.

Tim Garland, known for his long-standing collaboration with the legendary Chick Corea, brings his signature style—technically flawless yet deeply emotive—to the project. Here, he showcases this artistry on an unusual instrument: the mezzo-soprano saxophone, a rarity in the jazz world. Geoffrey Keezer—a Grammy nominee acclaimed for blending classical training with a modern jazz vocabulary—partners him at the piano with a sensitivity bordering on telepathy. It is no coincidence that the renowned vibraphonist Gary Burton has hailed this pair as "the best jazz duo I have ever heard."

The music on the *Mezzo* album—and in its live performances—defies strict genre categorization; it flows seamlessly from complex post-bop structures to near-impressionistic passages reminiscent of classical chamber music. Indeed, the list of composers includes figures ranging from Chick Corea to Erik Satie. The compositions are rich in color and unexpected twists; Garland’s tone is pure and luminous, while Keezer’s playing creates rich textures that provide the perfect backdrop for the saxophone lines.

Der Šenster Gob is an acoustic band playing Jewish, Romani, and Balkan music, traveling across Europe in a romantic green caravan.
What began as an all-male trio playing exclusively (speed) klezmer has evolved into a four-piece band that performs a broader range of styles—incorporating more vocals—and creates music that is beautiful and, at times, even melancholic.

Matěj Heinzl – clarinet, saxophone, vocals
Vojtěch Vasko – double bass, vocals
Jan Vítů – guitar, vocals
Martin Sochor – violin

Concert by the folk bands Mošny and Poslední šance Míry Ošance at Café Práh.

Program:

Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924): La rondine (The Swallow)

Doretta's aria "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta"

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908): The Tale of Tsar Saltan

aria to the Swan "You, Tsarevich, my savior"

Aliaksej Jaŭlampavič Turankoŭ (1886–1958): Melody for violin and piano

Nathan Milstein (1904–1992): Paganiniana for solo violin

Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943): Prelude Op. 32 No. 12 in G minor

Alberto Ginastera (1916–1983): Danzas Argentinas op. 2

I. Danza del viejo boyero

George Gershwin (1898–1937): Rhapsody in Blue

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791): The Magic Flute, KV 620

Queen of the Night aria "O zittre nicht"

Tadeusz Baird (1928–1981): Cztery sonnety miłosne (Four love sonnets to the words of William Shakespeare, translated by Maciej Słomczyński)

I. Andante. Sonnet 23 "Spójrz, co tu chiche serce wypisalo"; II. Allegretto con anima. Sonnet 91 "Drwię, mając ciebie, z zachły ludzkiej pychy"; III. Andantino, con amore. Sonnet 56 "Słodka miłości"; IV. Lento, con gran' espressione. Sonnet 97 "How like winter is the break"

Horkýže Slíže are heading to Brno! The legendary Slovak punk-rock band will unleash their high-energy show—packed with cult hits and uncompromising humor—at the modern Sono Centrum venue. Get ready for an evening of great music and a unique atmosphere.

David Herzig and Planeta Pluto

David Herzig is a musician, producer, and sound experimenter whose work straddles the boundaries of electronic, acoustic, and singer-songwriter music.

His debut album, *Planeta Pluto* (Planet Pluto), tells the stories of a cosmic wanderer roaming among the stars, seeking meaning in both the vastness of space and the ordinary lives of people.

Electronic textures, rock energy, and a singer-songwriter’s sensibility blend into a distinctive sound that oscillates between dreaminess and urgency.
David Herzig is a member of the band Bert & Friends; he has long collaborated with artists such as Arleta, Never Sol, and MC Gey, and has composed stage music for productions at the National Theatre, Dejvice Theatre, and Švanda Theatre.

Marjari

The work of singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Marjari is defined by layers of guitar sequences recorded on a looper and complemented by samples. Floating above them is her fragile, clear voice, lending the songs a unique blend of intimacy and tension.

Marjari will perform a solo concert at Alterna. However, as she herself notes,
she remains first and foremost a singer-songwriter; her songs work just as well in an intimate setting—featuring only her guitar and no backing band.

Many bands might consider themselves unique, but Baronova holota truly is. How else would you describe a group that brings together Savec—the bassist from Visací zámek—with jazz saxophonists Silva Šírová and Kuba Doležal, along with guitarist Mikeš (from Narvan and Lidopop), all orchestrated by Baron and drummer Honza Eliáš? Come and hear their punk rock with a splash of apricot brandy!

Honza Vancl and his birthday guests.

Janáček’s fifth opera, *The Excursions of Mr. Brouček*, opened the festival’s ninth season, which ran under the motto "Without Borders!" This same phrase aptly describes the work of director Robert Carsen, whose productions are acclaimed worldwide for their dramatic insight, poetic quality, humor, and visual sophistication. The famous director’s path first crossed with the Czech composer’s work many years ago; today, Carsen has staged six of Janáček’s operas. In 2020, he created a production of *Osud* (Destiny) for the Brno ensemble, returning four years later to embark on a journey—not only to the Moon—with Mr. Brouček. Carsen’s production offered a fresh perspective on this rarely performed opera, linking its plot to pivotal 20th-century historical events that shaped the Czech nation. The production’s broad appeal—extending well beyond the local audience—is evidenced by its nomination for the prestigious 2025 Opera Award.

None of Janáček’s operas can be classified as comic operas; while humor is never absent, it serves more as a rare seasoning. Yet, in this opera about a small-time homeowner from Prague’s Lesser Town—an archetypal "little Czech man"—Janáček positively brims with humor, albeit of a decidedly sharp variety. He drew inspiration from the popular *Brouček* novellas by poet Svatopluk Čech, complementing the satire with dance-like rhythms and the use of unusual instruments, such as the glass harmonica and bagpipes. While the first part of the opera—a trip to the Moon—aimed its biting humor at Prague’s critics, intellectuals, and artists, the second half, set in the Hussite era, struck at the unsavory traits of the Czech nation as a whole.

JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No. 84 in E-flat Major, Hob. I:84
THOMAS ADÈS Air (Homage to Sibelius) for violin and orchestra
BENJAMIN BRITTEN Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68

Marie Petříková, violin
Julia Hagen, cello
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor Dennis Russell Davies

The solo violin in Adès’s *Air* is suffused with light, reaching towards celestial heights. The cello in Britten’s Symphony strikes a darker chord. And Symphony No. 84 by “Papa” Haydn keeps the world in balance.

Dymytry and Arakain are embarking on a joint tour of the Czech Republic. It will run from February 20 to October 24, 2026.

Why does time fly when you’re with some people, yet drag on for ages with others? After all, everything is relative.

The Czech premiere of the musical *Theory of Relativity* offers a comic-book-style glimpse into the lives of students. Just as in applied physics, the hallway by the lockers proves that distinct elements can combine to form a new, solid whole. This hallway setting sparks unexpected reactions in relationships. Stylized visuals highlight the characters' caricatured traits—their struggles, loves, and insecurities—creating a dynamic mosaic of life for the younger generation.

This school production is presented through Music Theatre International. All authorized production materials are also provided by MTI (www.mtishows.co.uk).

Get ready for a rip-roaring Western Swing rodeo—the ROOTY SHOOTERS are coming to town!

This crew of seasoned musicians—who usually tear it up with swing, jazz, pop, blues, and rock & roll—is now setting its sights squarely on Western Swing! Bang, bang!

Petr "Poss Pets" Pospíšil lays down the groove on the upright bass, with a slapping technique that makes even the most sluggish bass thunder; Matěj "Foam" Fouma flies across the accordion keys, infusing every track with soul; Vojta "The Doc" Nosek saws away at the fiddle, playing with such intensity it sounds like he’s got sixteen strings and a bow to match; and Vítek "Snow White" Šnévajs strums the guitar, ringing out chords that soothe the soul.

And that’s not all—these four gunslingers join forces to belt out rich prairie harmonies on plenty of their songs!

Join us on a unique musical journey back to a time when life was tough, but the music softened the edges. So polish up your spurs and saddle up this mustang with us!

¡Caramba!

Swing jam session at Café Práh.

The contemporary Chicago jazz scene is regarded as one of the most vibrant and progressive jazz hubs of our time. It is from this fertile environment that an extraordinary talent has emerged: the multi-talented saxophonist, composer, educator, and activist Isaiah Collier.

Slovenian industrial legends Laibach have announced a new album, *MUSICK*, and are bringing it to Brno’s Fléda club on October 15th! Forget the typical concert experience; this will be a masterclass in the deconstruction of pop culture. Expect marching rhythms, orchestral grandeur, and the uncompromising aesthetic that defined the genre.
Hailing from the Slovenian town of Trbovlje, Laibach has been turning heads since 1980 with a provocative aesthetic that blends totalitarian imagery, industrial soundscapes, and conceptual art. Their work often straddles the line between critiquing and appropriating authoritarian elements, sparking intense debate regarding the meaning and interpretation of their art.
Musically, Laibach operates primarily within the realms of industrial and experimental rock, yet over the years they have explored a vast array of styles—ranging from electronica and orchestral arrangements to avant-garde pop. They have also gained renown for their unconventional reinterpretations of famous tracks—such as their reworking of The Beatles' *Let It Be*—and for monumental versions of folk and pop songs that place the originals within entirely new contexts of meaning.

Janny Richter

"Janny Richter is a prime example of the fact that when you pursue your dream, there is a great chance it will work out." — Full Moon

An energetic frontman, the composer of the award-winning soundtrack for the series *Metoda Markovič: Hojer*, and a musical visionary straddling the genres of country blues, Americana, indie rock, and electropop.

Blues Street Band hails from Valašské Meziříčí, as do most of its members. We have been active on the music scene since 2006, and despite minor lineup changes, the band has consistently maintained its distinctive style and character.

Our repertoire consists primarily of original compositions that blend our own music with lyrics inspired by real-life stories. Musically, we operate at the intersection of blues, rock, boogie, and other genres, refusing to be confined to a single musical label.

Our longtime friend and lyricist, Jan Vytlačil, plays a significant role in crafting our lyrics; his observations on life and personal stories lend unique substance to our songs. At the same time, every band member has the freedom to infuse the tracks with their own musical sensibilities and ideas. It is precisely this creative freedom that has shaped the signature sound of the Blues Street Band.

Postband’s repertoire consists of acoustic arrangements of songs—ranging from the well-known to the lesser-known—drawn from the golden era of rock singer-songwriters (e.g., T. Petty, N. Young, V. Morrison, B. Dylan) as well as from later generations of artists (e.g., B. Carlile, D. Grohl, N. Gallagher, G. Hansard, U2). The setlist also includes several original songs.

Introduce students to Leoš Janáček in a fun way. Let them experience Janáček firsthand!

What is Janáček’s story? How did he live and create? Which places in Brno are linked to him, and how did his personal life shape the music he composed? This two-hour educational workshop, held on the rehearsal stage of the Janáček Theatre, guides students through the milestones of Janáček’s life and work using engaging activities.

Practical information:

Workshop designed for primary school students (grades 4–6).
Program duration: 2 hours.
Workshop fee: 2,000 CZK for up to 20 participants; an admission fee of 100 CZK applies for each additional person.
Arrival via the Janáček Theatre staff entrance.
Please ensure students wear comfortable clothing, as the program involves sitting on the floor, creative activities, etc.

Leoš Janáček: *Říkadla* (Nursery Rhymes) (1925–26) / world premiere of a new version for 1–2 voices, clarinet, and piano, arranged by Kryštof Mařatka (2025–26)

Kryštof Mařatka: *Altotem* / nocturnal archaic music for viola with piano accompaniment (Czech premiere)

Kryštof Mařatka: *Báchorky* (Folk Tales) / for viola, clarinet, piano, and an ensemble of Czech and Moravian folk instruments

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Kryštof Mařatka: *Záhada pana Rybky* (The Mystery of Mr. Rybka) / melodrama for actor and pianist based on a short story by Karel Čapek

Leoš Janáček: *Zápisník zmizelého* (The Diary of One Who Disappeared), JW V/12 / song cycle for tenor, alto, three female voices, and piano

While Janáček’s music is rooted in Moravian folk music, Kryštof Mařatka (b. 1971) draws inspiration from the ethnic music of several continents.

Kryštof Mařatka’s 2016 composition *Báchorky* (Folk Tales) is inspired by the world of folk music and its instrumentation, which the composer juxtaposes with other instruments. Featured instruments include the elder-wood pipe, chamois horn, rag-and-bone man’s whistle, nose flute, shepherd’s horn, and bone flute.

Mařatka found the inspiration for his 2015 melodrama *Záhada pana Rybky* (The Mystery of Mr. Rybka) in the short story "Šlépěje" (Footprints) by Karel Čapek, published in the collection *Povídky z jedné kapsy* (Tales from One Pocket). The text and the narrative play a pivotal role, shaping the musical setting—which, however, does not dominate but rather complements the storytelling.

This piece is part of a series of the composer's melodramas written for the same instrumentation, forming a cohesive whole with them. It was originally conceived for a single performer—an actor-pianist handling both the acting and the piano playing—though it can also be performed by two artists: an actor and a pianist. The text may be performed in various languages.

JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No. 84 in E-flat Major, Hob. I:84
THOMAS ADÈS Air (Homage to Sibelius) for violin and orchestra
BENJAMIN BRITTEN Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68

Marie Petříková, violin
Julia Hagen, cello
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor Dennis Russell Davies

The solo violin in Adès’s *Air* is suffused with light, reaching towards celestial heights. The cello in Britten’s Symphony strikes a darker chord. And Symphony No. 84 by “Papa” Haydn keeps the world in balance.

Why does time fly when you’re with some people, yet drag on for ages with others? After all, everything is relative.

The Czech premiere of the musical *Theory of Relativity* offers a comic-book-style glimpse into the lives of students. Just as in applied physics, the hallway by the lockers proves that distinct elements can combine to form a new, solid whole. This hallway setting sparks unexpected reactions in relationships. Stylized visuals highlight the characters' caricatured traits—their struggles, loves, and insecurities—creating a dynamic mosaic of life for the younger generation.

This school production is presented through Music Theatre International. All authorized production materials are also provided by MTI (www.mtishows.co.uk).

A rock-pop band blending melodic garage music, rock, and pop with elements of jazz, funk, and blues. The six-piece group delivers energetic performances that draw the audience into a unique world they describe as a "musical picnic."

Vocals: Radek Maar

Saxophone: Petr Žížek

Guitar: Aleš Jedounek

Guitar: Richard Juřena

Bass: Radim Kopecký

Drums: Miroslav Holub

Electra Heart is a dynamic band that fuses music into an unforgettable experience, featuring powerful vocals, melodic saxophone solos, and intricate piano melodies.

Vocals: Ilona Lanard

Saxophone: Jiří Havlíček

Piano: Tomáš Vrtek

Bass: Ondřej Kovář

Drums: Viktor Mudrák

The first joint concert tour by Barbora Poláková and Štěpán Urban—concerts where audiences can immerse themselves in delicate melodies and deeply personal lyrics. Their debut collaborative album, *Sršeň*, delivers everything one would expect from modern folk-pop.

HVOB have been conquering the universe of electronic music for years. They have not only established themselves in the international music scene through their releases, but also as a live act.

The two musicians behind HVOB are Anna Müller and Paul Wallner. Together they compose and produce the music and are therefore jointly responsible for the unique sound of HVOB.

They play sold-out tours in North, Central and South America, Asia, Europe and South Africa and have played many of the world's renowned festivals - from a headlining show at Sonar Barcelona and Clockenflap in Hong Kong to Burning Man, Primavera Sound and Fuji Rock in Japan. They have also recorded a BBC Essential Mix, several Boiler Rooms and a Cercle set in Mexico.

LAKESIDE X is collaborating with Daniel Myer and Depeche Mode drummer Christian Eigner on a new album and will debut a new live show featuring new tracks in Brno on October 16. The band The Brute will also perform as a special guest.

The Brute is a captivating musical project from Switzerland and Germany, founded in 2018 by singer-songwriter Daniel Gierke. The project blends progressive electronic sounds with rock energy, compelling vocals, and cinematic visuals—both in live performances and in music videos. The band fuses elements of electropop, rock, and cinematic soundscapes into a signature sound that feels both modern and deeply emotional, with a touch of the spirit of the 80s and 90s.

Acid Row is a Czech band active since 2012, known for an explosive blend of stoner rock and punk, spiced with elements of doom, psychedelia, and 90s grunge. Originally formed in Plzeň, the band relocated to Prague in 2019. They are renowned for their energetic live shows and a penchant for a dark, slightly "diabolical" aesthetic. Today, they perform as a trio comprising Alex Fonar (vocals, bass), Dominik Klesa (guitar), and Radek Bacík (drums).

Blue Chesterfield is an experimental band from Plzeň led by David Jirka, blending art rock, post-punk, shoegaze, and dark country. Their signature lo-fi sound is complemented by poetic lyrics and unconventional instrumentation, including violin or saxophone. Active on the alternative scene since 2020, the band has released several recordings and performed at clubs and festivals across the Czech Republic and abroad.

Prago Union have been active for over twenty years—always doing things their own way.
No radio hits. No chasing trends. No need to conform to anything around them. Yet, they boast nine studio albums, two Anděl Awards, and a fanbase that sticks with them precisely because they never played the easy game.
Kato is one of the Czech scene’s most distinctive lyricists—precise, ironic, down-to-earth, yet unexpectedly profound. Theirs is a style of rap built not on gimmicks, but on words, groove, and the ability to land the perfect punchline.
Live, Prago Union operate differently from most of the domestic rap scene. A live band elevates their songs, steering them toward funk, jazz, and a raw energy that gives familiar tracks a whole new drive.
Their latest album, *Zvukolodʼ*, confirms that Prago Union aren't standing still; they are constantly exploring new paths without ever losing their signature style.
The Metro Music Bar will host a concert free of posturing and filters.
Just the band, the groove, and lyrics that carry real weight.

Blue Jam at the Smoking Rabbit Jazz Bar.

Line-up:

Alfred Schnittke: String Quartet No. 3

Antonín Dvořák: Four Songs on Lyrics by Gustav Pfleger-Moravský, Op. 2, B. 124 / arranged for voice and string quartet by Tomáš Ille

Leoš Janáček: String Quartet No. 2 "Intimate Letters", JW VII/13

Antonín Dvořák: In Folk Tone, Op. 73, B. 146 / arranged for voice and string quartet by Tomáš Ille

The fundamental building blocks of Alfred Schnittke’s (1934–1998) String Quartet No. 3 (1983) are quotations from works by three different composers spanning the Renaissance to the twentieth century: Orlando di Lasso, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Dmitri Shostakovich. Drawing on fragments from Lasso’s *Stabat Mater*, quotations from Beethoven’s *Grosse Fuge* for string quartet, and the motif of Shostakovich’s musical cryptogram "DSCH," the composer created a work in which disparate musical styles and textures blend and interpenetrate, much like in our dreams.

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) created this four-part song cycle—based on lyrics by the poet Gustav Pfleger-Moravský—in the early 1880s by reworking songs from his earlier cycle *Cypresses* (*Cypřiše*), which he had composed in 1865, shortly before his twenty-fourth birthday. Pfleger’s sentimental poems, filled with sorrow over unrequited love, inspired the young Dvořák to create a work of poignant, Schubert-esque Romantic expression.

Leoš Janáček’s (1854–1928) String Quartet No. 2, *Intimate Letters* (for two violins, viola, and cello), was composed during the final year of the composer’s life. *Intimate Letters* serves as a musical counterpart to the extensive correspondence between Janáček and his muse, Kamila Stösslová. Janáček heard the work performed during rehearsals by the Moravian Quartet in May 1928 but did not live to see its premiere; he died unexpectedly on August 12, 1928. The first performance, intended for experts and critics, was given by the Moravian Quartet on September 7, 1928, in the Hlahol Hall of the Besední dům in Brno. The work was subsequently presented to the general public on September 11, 1928, at the theater within the Brno Exhibition Grounds, as part of the Exhibition of Contemporary Culture in Czechoslovakia.

A Cure for Ailments / The World of Folk Song According to Janáček

"Whoever wishes to understand the human soul should listen to and observe folk song." – Leoš Janáček

Together with selected folk performers, we will explore the songs that resonated with Leoš Janáček and to which he devoted attention in his work on folklore. This chamber music program was devised by Magdalena Múčková.

Performers:

Gorolská muzika Lipka, Jablunkov

Grupa Śpiewacza Jaworzyncianki, Jaworzynki (PL)

Tereza Baron (vocals, heligonka accordion)

CM Valašský vojvoda, Kozlovice

Horňácká cimbálová muzika Kubíci

Why does time fly when you’re with some people, yet drag on for ages with others? After all, everything is relative.

The Czech premiere of the musical *Theory of Relativity* offers a comic-book-style glimpse into the lives of students. Just as in applied physics, the hallway by the lockers proves that distinct elements can combine to form a new, solid whole. This hallway setting sparks unexpected reactions in relationships. Stylized visuals highlight the characters' caricatured traits—their struggles, loves, and insecurities—creating a dynamic mosaic of life for the younger generation.

This school production is presented through Music Theatre International. All authorized production materials are also provided by MTI (www.mtishows.co.uk).

Béla Bartók: The Wooden Prince, Op. 13, Sz. 60, BB 74 / Suite from the ballet

Leoš Janáček: Sinfonietta, JW VI/18

Igor Stravinsky: Petrushka / Burlesque scenes in four tableaux 

Leoš Janáček (1854–1928), along with the slightly younger Béla Bartók (1881–1945) and Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971), form a significant trio of 20th-century composers who responded profoundly to folk music. While each approached it in his own way, all three were influenced by folk music in their musical thinking. Janáček and Bartók engaged deeply with folk song—even theoretically—and conducted field research; for the former, folk music was a "truth of life" that shaped his melodic style, while for the latter, it became the foundation for his work with modality and rhythm. Stravinsky was captivated by folk rituals, yet he drew from folk music only what he needed at specific stages of his creative journey—primarily texts and melodies. In any case, all three composers utilized this source in highly distinctive and inventive ways.

Béla Bartók composed the work based on the story of a proud, vain princess and a wooden prince between 1914 and 1916; following his opera *Bluebeard’s Castle*, this piece continued his exploration of the differences between men and women. This time, he chose the medium of ballet; the score possesses a distinctly symphonic character and stands as a true masterpiece of orchestration. *The Wooden Prince* is characterized by an impressionistic sound palette and incorporates elements of folk melody, spirited rhythms, and inspiration from Romanian and Hungarian music. Its 1917 premiere met with great international acclaim. Bartók’s suite from the ballet was performed in 1931.

Saul and Hasan are bringing a joint concert show as part of the "OD NEKONEČNA DO DÁVNA" tour.

They will perform at the SONO Music Club in Brno on October 17.

She is one of the most outstanding bassists of her generation—and that is no mere cliché.

Kinga Głyk has built an international reputation through a combination of technical mastery, musicality, and the ability to anchor the music with an instrument that usually stays in the background; in her hands, however, it takes center stage.

Her latest album, *Real Life*—created in collaboration with Michael League (Snarky Puppy)—showcases her shift toward a contemporary fusion sound, blending jazz, funk, and modern production.

On stage, she demonstrates why she is hailed as one of the most compelling bassists of her generation, effortlessly switching between the role of rhythmic anchor and the band's lead melodic voice. Her performances are defined by precision, dynamic range, and an ability to draw the audience into music that speaks for itself without the need for words.

Mad Fellaz is an italian eclectic jazz/fusion band, formed by guitarist and primary composer Paolo Busatto in 2011. Initially inspired by the great artists of classic progressive-rock, the band has been able to renew itself with extreme versatility and creativity, both in instrumental and vocal music, ranging from prog to jazz, fusion, funk and afro-beat music.

Join Leoš Janáček on a journey through Moravian forests and villages, and listen to the life and stories found there—a playful adventure in pursuit of folk melodies and the language of animals.