Press Release Brno, Czech Republic, February 9th, 2023
Yesterday, Filharmonie Brno played the most important concert in its modern history. In New York’s Carnegie Hall, the orchestra presented a selection of essential Czech classics (Martinů, Janáček), mixed with contemporary American music (Glass). Symphony No. 12 “Lodger” was the highlight of the evening, as it was performed in the New York premiere, and moreover with the personal presence of the author Philip Glass. “I don’t even know if it was a reality or just a dream. The audience accepted Martinů and Janáček amazingly, we got standing ovation. After the break, Chief Conductor Dennis Russell Davies welcomed Philip Glass sitting in the hall and the audience immediately broke into cheers before we even started playing. Glass is simply an icon and it is a great honor for us to play directly for him,” said director of Filharmonie Brno, Marie Kučerová. “Another ovation followed after the end of the composition, the several minutes of applause got even stronger when the author came to the stage to personally thank us,” added Kučerová.
The fact that this is an extraordinary event was confirmed, for example, by one of the leading Czech cellists, Tomáš Jamník, who currently lives in New York and attended the concert. “Right after my arrival, I was surprised by the sold-out hall, which is a rarity these days. With a very unconventional program, Filharmonie Brno obviously hit the New York audience’s taste. Martinů and Janáček sounded in absolutely ideal form, and Glass’s symphony gave everything a crown, really hats off,” Jamník described his impressions after the concert.
It was possible to play such a prestigious concert thanks to Dennis Russell Davies, who is connected with Glass by a close friendship and collaboration lasting several decades. “It was a wonderful evening. To be able to play the piece directly to Phil with my orchestra means a lot to me,” said Davies. He also appreciates the fact that Filharmonie Brno was the first orchestra in the world to record the symphony on CD.
The musicians have the great impressions from the evening as well. “The genius loci is amazing there. Compared to Japanese halls, Carnegie is a bit ´old fashioned´, but the atmosphere is breathtaking. Just the ubiquitous posters of celebrities who performed there. Acoustically wonderful, we could all hear each other perfectly on stage. The concert itself was a great experience for us, the reaction of the audience was great. I think I speak for all when I say that we felt great pride during the applause,” said cellist Radan Vach.
The American tour continues on February 10 with a concert in Ann Arbor (MI), again combining Czech and American music. The program includes Humoresk by William Bolcom and two works by Leoš Janáček – Sinfonietta and Glagolitic Mass. “I dare to say that this is the first time ever that Janáček will be heard in that hall. Plus with local soloists and choir as well as a brass section in the Sinfonietta. We are very curious about the mutual interplay,” emphasized Kučerová, explaining that the combination of local and visiting artists is used in cases of a large cast of the orchestra. After Ann Arbor, the philharmonic is waiting for five more concerts: three in California, in Kansas City they will play with Laurie Anderson and the tour will end in Texas.
Complete program of the US Tour 2023
February 8th: New York, Carnegie Hall
Martinů: Thunderbolt P-47 , Janáček: Taras Bulba , Glass: Symphony no.12
February 10th: Ann Arbor, MI
Janáček: Sinfonietta, Bolcom: Humoresk, Janáček: Glagolitic Mass
February 13rd: Palm Desert, CA
Martinů: Sinfonietta “La Jolla”, Janáček: Taras Bulba , Dvořák: Symphony No. 6
February 14th: Santa Barbara, CA
Martinů: Sinfonietta “La Jolla” , Janáček: Taras Bulba , Dvořák: Symphony No. 6
February 15th: Northridge, CA
Martinů: Thunderbolt P-47 , Janáček: Taras Bulba , Dvořák: Symphony No. 8
February 18th: Kansas City, MO
Dvořák: Othello, Martinů: Thunderbolt P-47 , Laurie Anderson: Amelia
February 20th: Lubbock, TX
Martinů: Thunderbolt P-47 , Janáček: Sinfonietta , Dvořák: Symphony No. 8
Media contact: Kateřina Konečná, Head of PR and marketing Filharmonie Brno
+420 775 426 040 katerina.konecna@filharmonie-brno.cz