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Czech MusicEncore: Turning music into gold - alchemy in the court of Rudolph II
You wouldn't usually associate music with mysterious arts of the alchemist,
but in Prague, at the beginning of the 17th century, just about anything
was possible. In Encore today, we look at "alchemical" music -
or to be more precise, music composed by an alchemist.
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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 AffairsConcertino Praga winners announced
Concertino Praga - Czech Radio's prestigious international competition for
young musicians - has just announced the winners of this year's contest.
Ever since this special event for up and coming musicians was established
41 years ago, it has become a conveyer belt for young talent in the world
of classical music. More
Current AffairsCzech Museum of Music to display "Mozart" piano
Yesterday we reported on a shortage of tone wood which has for centuries
been harvested in South Bohemia to make pianos that even Mozart himself
played in Vienna. As a matter of fact, the Czech Museum of Music owns a
piano which Mozart played in Prague, and the instrument is now on display
in the Czech capital.
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Czech MusicEncore: Oldrich Korte and one of the great piano sonatas of the 20th century
Even if he had never written another work in his life, the Czech composer
Oldrich Korte would deserve immortality for his Sonata for Piano. The
piece was composed between 1951 and 1953 when Korte was still in his
mid-twenties and virtually unknown. Today it is recognised as one of the
great piano sonatas of the 20th century and is a particular favourite of
Korte's long-standing friend, the American pianist, Garrick Ohlsson, who
has
helped to carry its fame abroad. More
One on OneNatasa Newton - helping young Czech and Slovak musicians play in the UK
Natasa Newton is one of the founders of the Anglo-Czechoslovak Trust, an
organisation established not long after the fall of communism, in 1990.
Its main aim was to foster ties between young Czech and Slovak music
students and their counterparts in the UK - in all over 900 students have
so far taken part in the programme. Natasa Newton told me all about the
Trust when we met at her London home last week, though I first asked her
about her own background.
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Czech MusicEncore: Thirty-six Czech fugues and Janacek in search of his musical identity
In this edition of Encore we hear from a Czech master of the fugue and we
feature a recording of a fascinating early orchestral piece by Janacek,
sounding very different from the composer as most people know him.
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Current Affairs"Seven Candles" to remember Czech composers who died in the Holocaust
The impact of the Holocaust on Czech classical music was devastating. Many
Czech composers were of Jewish origin, and during the German occupation
were deported to the Terezin ghetto north of Prague. Although some managed
to continue performing under the difficult conditions of the ghetto, nearly
all were later killed in Auschwitz and other death camps. On Monday their
music and their tragic fate will be remembered at a concert in Prague. The
concert, entitled "Seven Candles", is one of many events this
year to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Prague's Jewish
museum. It was organized by the cellist Frantisek Brikcius, who will also
be performing alongside the Talich Chamber Orchestra. He tells us about
the concert.
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