Brno Philharmonic

The Brno Philharmonic Orchestral Academy is a project that enables talented young musicians—students or recent graduates of music schools selected through an audition process—to gain orchestral experience within a professional ensemble. Through this initiative, the Philharmonic cultivates new generations of players who may one day join its ranks. The Academy has completed six seasons, and the results are already evident: some alumni have become members of our orchestra, while others regularly return to perform as guest players. The significance and value of this experience for the artistic growth of young musicians and for the future of the orchestra are thus indisputable.

Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Patrik Červák
Hosts: Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš
Script and Direction: Kristýna Drášilová

We are already familiar with the orchestra—we know how powerful it can sound and why it needs a conductor to keep it all together. But what actually lies within? What instruments make up its colorful world? Who takes the lead, and who waits patiently for their big moment? And can an orchestral musician simply sit wherever they please?

The Family Subscription series takes you into the inner workings of the musical system known as the orchestra. Together, we will discover how the various sections interact, who sets the tempo, who carries the melody, and who builds tension in the background. We will learn that every instrument plays an indispensable role—and that even silence can be charged with anticipation.

This year, you don’t have to remain mere listeners! We invite you to join forces with our orchestra: young listeners can prepare alongside their teachers, while adults are encouraged to dust off their instruments. Let’s experience together that unique feeling of being part of an orchestra.

Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Patrik Červák
Hosts: Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš
Script and Direction: Kristýna Drášilová

We are already familiar with the orchestra—we know how powerful it can sound and why it needs a conductor to keep it all together. But what actually lies within? What instruments make up its colorful world? Who takes the lead, and who waits patiently for their big moment? And can an orchestral musician simply sit wherever they please?

The Family Subscription series takes you into the inner workings of the musical system known as the orchestra. Together, we will discover how the various sections interact, who sets the tempo, who carries the melody, and who builds tension in the background. We will learn that every instrument plays an indispensable role—and that even silence can be charged with anticipation.

This year, you don’t have to remain mere listeners! We invite you to join forces with our orchestra: young listeners can prepare alongside their teachers, while adults are encouraged to dust off their instruments. Let’s experience together that unique feeling of being part of an orchestra.

Daniele di Bonaventura – bandoneon
Marcello Peghìn – guitar

The musical encounter between Italian bandoneonist Daniele di Bonaventura and guitarist Marcello Peghìn within the *Elegiaco* project represents one of those rare moments when technical virtuosity yields to pure emotion. The title of the album—and the concert project as a whole—was not chosen at random; here, "elegiac" is not a synonym for despondency or depression, but rather for a noble melancholy, contemplation, and a profound serenity that feels almost like an act of rebellion in today’s fast-paced world.

At the heart of this collaboration lies a dialogue between two instruments that hold a unique place in both Italian and global musical traditions. In the hands of Daniele di Bonaventura, the bandoneon transcends its role as a mere symbol of Argentine tango. His playing captures a depth that is almost sacred—reminiscent of the organ—alongside a folk-like earthiness and a sense of lightness. Complementing di Bonaventura is Marcello Peghìn, a guitarist with a keen ear for tonal color; he does not use his instrument merely for standard accompaniment but treats it as a full-fledged partner, creating space for the bandoneon, enriching its timbres, and occasionally gently prompting it toward more dynamic passages.

WILLIAM BOLCOM Symphony No. 9 (Czech premiere)
SAMUEL BARBER Violin Concerto, Op. 14
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Symphony No. 4, H 305

Robert McDuffie, violin
Brno Philharmonic
Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

This concert, featuring American violinist Robert McDuffie and our American chief conductor Dennis Russell Davies, will present music by two prominent 20th-century American composers alongside Bohuslav Martinů’s Symphony No. 4, written during the Czech composer’s time in the United States.

WILLIAM BOLCOM Symphony No. 9 (Czech premiere)
SAMUEL BARBER Violin Concerto, Op. 14
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Symphony No. 4, H 305

Robert McDuffie, violin
Brno Philharmonic
Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

This concert, featuring American violinist Robert McDuffie and our American chief conductor Dennis Russell Davies, will present music by two prominent 20th-century American composers alongside Bohuslav Martinů’s Symphony No. 4, written during the Czech composer’s time in the United States.

ALEXANDRE TANSMAN Triptych
HENRYK WIENIAWSKI Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 15, for Violin and String Orchestra
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Partita (Suite No. 1), H 212
MIECZYSŁAW KARŁOWICZ Serenade for Strings, Op. 2

Jan Mráček, violin
Sinfonietta Cracovia
Conductor František Macek

It is our honor to welcome Sinfonietta Cracovia—one of Poland’s leading chamber orchestras—to Brno. They will perform at the Besední dům alongside Czech artists: conductor František Macek, chief conductor of the Slovak Sinfonietta (Žilina), and violinist Jan Mráček, concertmaster of the Czech Philharmonic. The program will also reflect this Polish-Czech collaboration.

Featuring double bassists from the Brno Philharmonic
Hosted by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

Do you have to sit quietly at a concert? Is singing or laughing forbidden? And is classical music only for adults? That is certainly not the case here.

Our family chamber music afternoons invite children aged 3–8 and their parents to a musical encounter that is playful, open, and full of discovery. The musicians will draw you right into the action—you can ask questions, join in the singing, move to the rhythm, or simply enjoy the music in your own way.

A concert awaits you—free from unnecessary rules or inhibition. Music that brings people together and entertains—both young and old.

Featuring double bassists from the Brno Philharmonic
Hosted by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

Do you have to sit quietly at a concert? Is singing or laughing forbidden? And is classical music only for adults? That is certainly not the case here.

Our family chamber music afternoons invite children aged 3–8 and their parents to a musical encounter that is playful, open, and full of discovery. The musicians will draw you right into the action—you can ask questions, join in the singing, move to the rhythm, or simply enjoy the music in your own way.

A concert awaits you—free from unnecessary rules or inhibition. Music that brings people together and entertains—both young and old.

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 1 in G minor, Op. 13, "Winter Daydreams"
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Davide penitente, Cantata, K. 469

Simona Šaturová, soprano
Martina Janková, soprano
Petr Nekoranec, tenor
Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno
Choirmaster: Petr Fiala
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Robert Kružík

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky began his First Symphony in G minor in 1866, shortly after graduating from the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He infused the work with images and the shifting moods of the winter landscape, drawing upon the logic of symphonic development and folk melodies. Following a lukewarm reception at its 1868 Moscow premiere, he revisited the symphony and revised it several times. It was not until a performance in Moscow in 1883 that the work gained wider recognition. Although it is performed far less frequently than Tchaikovsky’s crowning symphonic achievements—the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth (*Pathétique*)—the First Symphony never fails to astonish listeners with the maturity displayed by its youthful composer.

PHILIP GLASS Symphony No. 6 “Ode to Plutonium” for Soprano and Orchestra
LAURIE ANDERSON Amelia

Iva Bittová, vocals (Glass)
Laurie Anderson, vocals, violin, electronics
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies

The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Allen Ginsberg—the most prominent figure of the Beat Generation of poets—while 2027 will mark 30 years since his passing. In late January 2027, Philip Glass will celebrate his 90th birthday, followed by Laurie Anderson’s 80th birthday in June of the same year. Furthermore, 2027 marks 120 years since the birth of aviator Amelia Earhart and 90 years since her death. Yet, these anniversaries are not the primary focus of this concert…

RICHARD WAGNER *Siegfried Idyll* for chamber orchestra, WWV 103
GUSTAV MAHLER *Des Knaben Wunderhorn* (The Youth’s Magic Horn), selections from the song cycle
ANTONÍN REJCHA Overture in D major
IGOR STRAVINSKY *Pulcinella*, suite from the ballet

Christoph Prégardien, tenor
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies

Richard Wagner composed the *Siegfried Idyll* as an occasional orchestral piece. In it, he looked back to the time when his son Siegfried was born and when he was working on the final scene of the opera of the same name. The idyll is dedicated to his wife Cosima; it was performed for the first time on December 25, 1870—Cosima’s birthday—on the staircase of the Wagner family home in Tribschen, near Lucerne.

RICHARD WAGNER *Siegfried Idyll* for chamber orchestra, WWV 103
GUSTAV MAHLER *Des Knaben Wunderhorn* (The Youth’s Magic Horn), selections from the song cycle
ANTONÍN REJCHA Overture in D major
IGOR STRAVINSKY *Pulcinella*, suite from the ballet

Christoph Prégardien, tenor
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies

Richard Wagner composed the *Siegfried Idyll* as an occasional orchestral piece. In it, he looked back to the time when his son Siegfried was born and when he was working on the final scene of the opera of the same name. The idyll is dedicated to his wife Cosima; it was performed for the first time on December 25, 1870—Cosima’s birthday—on the staircase of the Wagner family home in Tribschen, near Lucerne.

MARTIN JAKUBÍČEK: A Thousand Angels (Premiere)
LENA RIEGEROVÁ and STANISLAV CHUDOBA: A Christmas Fairy Tale

Magdalenka and Kantilénka
Choir directors: Veronika Novosádová and Michal Jančík

Kantiléna is a select children’s and youth choir affiliated with the Brno Philharmonic; its three sections comprise around 150 singers aged 5 to 19. It was founded in 1956 as the Šlapanice Children’s Choir at the initiative of Ivan Sedláček, who later served as its artistic director for many years. In 1967, it became a select ensemble under its current name, and since 1984, it has operated under the auspices of the Brno Philharmonic, frequently performing at the orchestra's events.

PETR ŘEZNÍČEK: A Selection of Czech and Moravian Carols
MARTIN JAKUBÍČEK: A Thousand Angels
LUKÁŠ SOMMER: The Heavens Have Given Us Dew (cantata based on poems by Vít Slíva)

Kantilénka and Kantiléna
Octopus Vocalis (guest ensemble)
Choirmasters: Veronika Novosádová and Michal Jančík

Kantiléna is a select children’s and youth choir affiliated with the Brno Philharmonic; its three sections comprise around 150 singers aged 5 to 19. It was founded in 1956 as the Šlapanice Children’s Choir at the initiative of Ivan Sedláček, who later served as its artistic director for many years. In 1967, it became a select ensemble under its current name, and since 1984, it has operated under the auspices of the Brno Philharmonic, performing alongside the orchestra at its events. Jakub Klecker led the choir until the 2019/2020 season; since September 2020, Michal Jančík has served as Kantiléna’s artistic director and chief choirmaster. Children prepare for the main choir’s demanding concert schedule in the senior preparatory choir, Kantilénka, while the youngest members sing in Magdalenka—named after former member and current patron of Kantiléna, Magdalena Kožená. Magdalenka is led by Veronika Novosádová, while Kantilénka is led jointly by both choirmasters.

NINO ROTA: La strada, suite from the ballet
JOE HISAISHI: "Merry-Go-Round of Life" from the film Howl’s Moving Castle
JOHN WILLIAMS: Star Wars (Main Theme)
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD: Cello Concerto in C major, Op. 37
LEONARD BERNSTEIN: On the Waterfront, suite

Lukáš Polák, cello
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies

The Brno Philharmonic was established as the State Philharmonic Brno on January 1, 1956, and held its first concert that very same day (though not yet under its official name). Since then, it has regularly held New Year’s concerts—with the exception of 2021, when the concert was cancelled due to the pandemic. These concerts serve a dual symbolic purpose: they welcome the New Year while also marking the orchestra’s anniversary—which, in 2027, will be its 71st. This time, the celebrations will be dedicated to famous film music.

PHILIP GLASS Symphony No. 6 “Ode to Plutonium” for Soprano and Orchestra
LAURIE ANDERSON Amelia

Iva Bittová, vocals (Glass)
Laurie Anderson, vocals, violin, electronics
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies

The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Allen Ginsberg—the most prominent figure of the Beat Generation of poets—while 2027 will mark 30 years since his passing. In late January 2027, Philip Glass will celebrate his 90th birthday, followed by Laurie Anderson’s 80th birthday in June of the same year. Furthermore, 2027 marks 120 years since the birth of aviator Amelia Earhart and 90 years since her death. Yet, these anniversaries are not the primary focus of this concert…

Martina Matušínská – flute
Karolína Korcová – flute
Trio JuMaJu:
Judita Francová, Julie Juříčková, and Marie Kumpoštová
Trio Elegance:
Emma Kejdová, Zuzana Kýrová, and Ella Apolena-Ada Wright
Hosted by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

Do you have to sit quietly at a concert? Are you not allowed to sing or laugh? And is classical music only for adults? That’s certainly not the case here!

Our "Family Chamber Afternoons" invite children aged 3–8 and their parents to experience music in a way that is playful, open, and full of discovery. The musicians will draw you right into the action—you can ask questions, join in with the singing, move to the rhythm, or simply enjoy the music in your own way.

Get ready for a concert free from unnecessary rules or self-consciousness. Music that brings people together and entertains—both the little ones and the grown-ups!

Martina Matušínská – flute
Karolína Korcová – flute
Trio JuMaJu:
Judita Francová, Julie Juříčková, and Marie Kumpoštová
Trio Elegance:
Emma Kejdová, Zuzana Kýrová, and Ella Apolena-Ada Wright
Hosted by Kristýna Drášilová and Magdalena Dostálová

Do you have to sit quietly at a concert? Are you not allowed to sing or laugh? And is classical music only for adults? That’s certainly not the case here!

Our "Family Chamber Afternoons" invite children aged 3–8 and their parents to experience music in a way that is playful, open, and full of discovery. The musicians will draw you right into the action—you can ask questions, join in with the singing, move to the rhythm, or simply enjoy the music in your own way.

Get ready for a concert free from unnecessary rules or self-consciousness. Music that brings people together and entertains—both the little ones and the grown-ups!

Lau Noah – guitar, vocals
Adam Neely – bass guitar

When a virtuoso bassist—renowned as a YouTuber for deconstructing the most complex musical concepts—joins forces with a Catalan singer-songwriter whose voice and guitar playing seem to belong to another universe, the result is bound to be extraordinary. The musical project The Way Under, created by Adam Neely and Lau Noah, represents a fascinating intersection of the intellectual depth of modern jazz and the raw emotion of independent folk.

BŘETISLAV BAKALA Scherzo for Chamber Orchestra
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Major, H 149
FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 11

Marek Kozák, piano
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Robert Kružík

BŘETISLAV BAKALA Scherzo for Chamber Orchestra
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Major, H 149
FELIX MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 11

Marek Kozák, piano
Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Robert Kružík

Performing for dancing and listening:

Brno Philharmonic, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies
Salon Orchestra Brno, Artistic Director František Školař
Jazz Archiv, Artistic Director Jaroslav Studénka
Cimbal Classic, Artistic Director Dalibor Štrunc

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Symphony No. 6 in F major, K. 43 (3rd movement – ​​Minuet), Symphony No. 7 in D major, K. 45 (4th movement – ​​Finale)
LEOŠ JANÁČEK Sinfonietta (4th movement – ​​Allegretto)
GUSTAV MAHLER Blumine (excerpt)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Masks, from the ballet Romeo and Juliet
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Dance of the Cloud, from the ballet Who Is the Most Powerful in the World?, H 133
VÍTĚZSLAVA KAPRÁLOVÁ Suita rustica (1st movement – ​​Allegro rustico)
JAN NOVÁK Elegantiae tripudiorum, symphonia minore (3rd movement – ​​Allegro molto)
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD The Adventures of Robin Hood (Part 1 of the film score suite)
JAROSLAV JEŽEK Bugatti Step

Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dominik Pernica
Presented by: Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš
Script: Kristýna Drášilová

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Symphony No. 6 in F major, K. 43 (3rd movement – ​​Minuet), Symphony No. 7 in D major, K. 45 (4th movement – ​​Finale)
LEOŠ JANÁČEK Sinfonietta (4th movement – ​​Allegretto)
GUSTAV MAHLER Blumine (excerpt)
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Masks, from the ballet Romeo and Juliet
BOHUSLAV MARTINŮ Dance of the Cloud, from the ballet Who Is the Most Powerful in the World?, H 133
VÍTĚZSLAVA KAPRÁLOVÁ Suita rustica (1st movement – ​​Allegro rustico)
JAN NOVÁK Elegantiae tripudiorum, symphonia minore (3rd movement – ​​Allegro molto)
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD The Adventures of Robin Hood (Part 1 of the film score suite)
JAROSLAV JEŽEK Bugatti Step

Brno Philharmonic
Conductor: Dominik Pernica
Presented by: Kristýna Drášilová and Vítězslav Mikeš
Script: Kristýna Drášilová