Program

 
28. 3. 2010, Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul, 19:30

Virgin of all virgins blest
Dvořák: Stabat mater

Marie Fajtová – soprano
Jana Wallingerová – mezzosoprano
Michal Lehotský – tenor
Peter Mikuláš – bass

Prague Symphony Orchestra
Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno
choirmaster Petr Fiala
conductor
Petr Altrichter


It is no accident that Dvořák’s oratorio Stabat Mater has become the signature work of Brno’s Easter Festival: each repeat
performance brings a new perspective on one of the classic works of the world repertoire, while always managing with convincing urgency to return to this deeply human theme: fear of death and reconciliation with its inevitability, and also – and mainly – the indescribable pain of a mother, and the redeeming power of our empathy with her suffering.


Place: Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul
 
29. 3. 2010, Church of Ss. Johns, 19:30

The way Baroque speaks to us

Vivaldi: Sonata a 4 al Santo Sepolcro
Händel: Organ Concerto G major op.4 No. 3
Corelli: Concerto grosso da chiesa C minor op. 6 No. 3
Vivaldi: Stabat mater

Edita Adlerová – alto
Pavel Svoboda – organ

Barocco sempre giovane


With its Italian title (translated as Baroque Forever Young) the chamber orchestra from Pardubice demonstrates its effort to bring to life scores from the Baroque centuries, and – in cooperation with top soloists – to show that their great authors have something to say to audiences in the third millennium.


Place: Church of Ss. Johns
 
30. 3. 2010, Church of Ss. Johns, 19:30

Stay and pray with me

Lurano: Anima Christi sanctifica me
Alberti: Incipit Lamentatio Jeremiae Prophetae
Morales: Vigilate et orate
              Peccantem me quotidie
Peñalosa: Deus, qui manus tuas
Guerrero: O Domine, Jesu Christe
Victoria: Miserere mei, Deus
Gallus: Lamentatio VIII (Non crediderunt reges)
Paminger: Pater noster
               Disce crucem
Stoltzer: Ingressus Pilatus
Gallus: Ecce quomodo moritur iustus
Weerbeke: Anima Christi sanctifica me

Stimmwerck

Franz Vitzthum – contratenor
Klaus Wenk, Gerhard Hölzle – tenor
Marcus Schmidl – bass–baritone


The internationally-renowned male-voice quartet from Munich (tenor, two basses, and counter-tenor) sings without instrumental accompaniment the four-part vocal works of Renaissance composers from various corners of Europe. With their cultivated and stylistically impeccable chamber delivery they open the doors for the audience to the amazing wealth and diversity of their (often little-known) music, and to deep experience of Renaissance piety.


Place: Church of Ss. Johns
 
7. 4. 2010, Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul, 19:30

My shelter and my shield
Recital of Richard Novák

Zelenka: Chvalte Boha silného (Psalm 150)
Händel: Te Deum (Dettingen) – selection
            Bewahr, o Herr, du treuer Gott
            Als du auf dich genommen
Messiah – selection
            Sinfonia
            Thus saith the Lord 
            But who may abide
            The trumpet shall sound – aria
Samson – selection
            Sinfonia
Dvořák: BiblicalSongs

Richard Novák – bass

Brno Philharmonic
conductor
Jakub Klecker


The idea of inserting a selection of bass arias from the most famous sacred works by Handel in between two of the most beautiful settings of Czech biblical texts is worthy of a vocalist the caliber of Richard Novák. The monumental and dramatic pictures by the Baroque masters find a poetically passionate counterpart in the ten parts of Dvořák’s masterful song cycle.


Place: Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul
 
8. 4. 2010, Church of J. A. Komenský, 19:30

The angels

Řezníček: Salve regina
anonym (arr. Raichl): Three Medieval Czech Songs
Eben: Moralia Catonis
          Trouvere Mass
          De angelis
          Greek Dictionary
Uherek: Hosana (Little Suite from Giant Mountains Passion Play)
Hurník: King David (from June Night)
Mácha: Hymnus

Severáček – children choir

choirmaster Silvie Pálková
Lukáš Trykar – piano and organ

 

The program of the children’s choir Severáček who debut this year at Brno’s Easter festival, is the only one to bring into its dramaturgy the music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and thus emphasize that the spiritual experience of Christianity’s greatest holiday belongs not just to the ages, but to today’s people as well, seeking solid ground in an era of rapid and often incomprehensible change.


Place: J. A. Komensky Church (Red Church)
 
11. 4. 2010, Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul, 19:30

Giving thanks for Your great glory
Rossini: Messa di Gloria

Martina Masaryková – soprano
Pavla Zbořilová – mezzosoprano
Aleš Briscein – tenor
Otokar Klein – tenor
David Szendiuch – bass

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Prague Philharmonic Choir
choirmaster Lukáš Vasilek
conductor
Leoš Svárovský

 

Rossini’s only mass (if we don’t count his Requiem) is his Messa di Gloria setting to music a relatively short text of the first two parts of the mass (Kyrie and Gloria). This great opera composer, however, filled it with so much lovely and full-blooded music that it forms an entire, full-length composition, concentrating even through its variations on the expression of glory, the feeling of which God rewards his faithful upon this earth

 


Place: Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul
© Petr Tejkal 2005