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Current AffairsCzechs "effortlessly musical", says conductor Kerry Stratton
The Canadian conductor Kerry Stratton has worked with several leading Czech
orchestras and made numerous recordings of Czech classical music. He was
recently honoured for his dedication to Czech music, when he received an
award from the Czech Foreign Ministry. I spoke to Kerry Stratton at the
awards ceremony, and first asked him how a Canadian came to be work with
so many Czech orchestras.
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Current AffairsGuest conductor relishing the challenge of working with the Czech Philharmonic
In 2008 Zdenek Macal will cease to be the Czech Philharmonic's Chief
Conductor. For the first time in its history the orchestra will not assign
this position to anyone else, as it has decided to keep looking for an
ideal candidate. As a result, the incoming Principal Guest Conductor,
Manfred Honeck will play a more important role than normal in terms of
leaving his mark on the ensemble and influencing its sound.
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Current AffairsCzech Philharmonic marks 110th anniversary with special concert
The Czech Philharmonic is one of the world's finest orchestras. It has been
around for an unbelievable 110 years - its first conductor being none other
than the famous Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. The Czech Philharmonic are
marking the anniversary with a special concert, held at exactly the same
location as 110 years ago, its home, the Prague Rudolfinum concert hall,
under the baton of chief-conductor Zdenek Macal.
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Current AffairsYoung American Conductor Steps Up to Czech Podium
Marlon Daniel is on a roll. The young American conductor recently played
New York's Lincoln Centre, and made his debut at Carnegie Hall in
December. Now, this Tuesday night he'll have another 'first' when he
conducts the Praga Sinfonietta in the Dvorak Hall of Prague's famed
Rudolfinum. Kate Barrette met with Marlon between classes at the Prague
Conservatory of Music to find out more...
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Current AffairsJiri Belohlavek named Chief Conductor of BBC Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Symphony Orchestra, one of the world's great orchestras, has
announced the name of its new Chief Conductor. It is Jiri Belohlavek, one
of the most acclaimed Czech conductors, who is to replace the American
Leonard Slatkin at the helm of the orchestra next year. More
Current AffairsCzech Philharmonic Orchestra nominated for Grammy Award
The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra has been nominated for a grammy award for
its recording of Bohuslav Martinu's Symphonies 3 and 4, with world reknown
Czech conductor Jiri Belohlavek.
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Current AffairsMartinu Festival celebrates legendary Czech composer
Beginning Monday, Prague will host the 10th annual Martinu Festival, a
series of classical music dedicated to one of the best-known 20th Century
Czech composers, Bohuslav Martinu.
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WitnessPetr Vlha: in praise of Zdenek Macal's magic wand at the Czech Philharmonic
You may remember an interview we broadcast last year with Zdenek Macal,
when he was appointed chief conductor of the greatest of all Czech
orchestras, the Czech Philharmonic. Despite a huge international
reputation after many years with top orchestras abroad, Macal was not
particularly well known in his native Prague. The Czech Philharmonic had
been going through a difficult few years, with financial problems,
internal disputes and even fears that its artistic standards were
suffering. So Zdenek Macal inherited a difficult job. Today, just a few
months later, critics are united in praising his work with the orchestra.
Not least among them is Petr Vlha, the secretary of the Year of Czech
Music, who sees the changes at the Czech Philharmonic as little short of
miraculous:
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ArtsArts news
Anna K and Daniel Landa hold concert for Czech soldiers in Kuwait. Galileo musical kicks off on anniversary of famous scientist's birth. Czech Philharmonic travels to USA. Theatre Institute releases two publications. National Gallery offers special Valentine's Day programme.
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