Spiritual Legends in the Works of Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinů

A concert presenting works by two Czech composers in chamber arrangement. Bohuslav Martinů's pieces include the cantata "Legend from the Smoke of Potato Tops", "Three Sacred Songs" and the song "I Know a Little Grove". Janáček's section comprises compositions connected to Marian devotion - "Hail Mary", "Ave Maria", "The Frýdek Virgin Mary" - and the monumental prayer "Our Father". Rather than large choirs and full orchestral forces, the project employs a chamber ensemble: eight voices of Victoria Ensemble and selected instruments from the NeoKlassik orchestra.

Programme

Bohuslav Martinů:
- "Three Sacred Songs" arranged for mixed choir, violin and recorder
- 1. "The Nativity"
- 2. "The Ascension"
- 3. "The Path to Paradise"
- "I Know a Little Grove" arranged for soprano and accordion
- "Legend from the Smoke of Potato Tops"

- intermission

Leoš Janáček:
- "The Frýdek Virgin Mary" from the cycle "Along the Overgrown Path"
- "Ave Maria" for male choir (male quartet)
- "Hail Mary" for soprano, mixed choir, violin and organ
- "Our Father" - "living pictures" for solo tenor, choir, harp and organ

Performers

NeoKlassik Orchestra, artistic director Václav Dlask:
- Markéta Cabajová / flute
- Karel Dohnal / clarinet
- Josef Otrhálek / French horn
- Martin Šulc / accordion
- Adam Dvořáček / piano
- Monika Šnorbertová / organ
- Roxana Hädler / harp
- Ayako Noguchi / violin

Victoria Ensemble, artistic director Viktorie Kaplanová:
- Viktorie Kaplanová, Klára Muknšnáblová / soprano
- Zuzana Nyklová, Michaela Králová / alto
- Ondřej Benek, Filip Šťovíček / tenor
- Štěpán Pokorný, Radek Martinec / bass