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SpecialMusic of the First Republic

The independence of Czechoslovakia, which we celebrate each October 28, was the result of a movement of many decades, and when at least it came, in 1918, after four hard years of war, the joy must have been very palpable. There are so few alive today who can remember that period, but it is certainly not lost to us, and one of the ways we can relive it is through the music of the day.  More

Czech HistoryLeoš Janáček, the composer for a new republic

The first two names always given at the top of the pantheon of Czech classical music are Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana; the third is invariably Leoš Janáček. Probably the most innovative of the three, Janáček likely lags behind the famous duo only because even today, 80 years after his death, musicians, musicologists and music lovers are still reassessing those innovations, which took classical music into uncharted territory. More

Current AffairsChampion of Czech classical music Sir Charles Mackerras dies aged 84

The world lost one of its leading conductors and a great patron of Czech classical music on Wednesday with the passing of Sir Charles Mackerras, who has died of cancer at the age of 84. In a long career of many highlights, Sir Charles became a notable specialist on the Czech composer Leoš Janáček and played a major role in championing the work of other Czech classical masters, like Bohuslav Martinů and Antonín Dvořák. Christian Falvey looks back at his life.  More

NewsNational Theatre to premiere Kata Kabanová

Czechs in HistoryLeoš Janáček, the composer for a new republic

The first two names always given at the top of the pantheon of Czech classical music are Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana; the third is invariably Leoš Janáček. Probably the most innovative of the three, Janáček likely lags behind the famous duo only because even today, 80 years after his death, musicians, musicologists and music lovers are still reassessing those innovations, which took classical music into uncharted territory. More

Current AffairsBrian Friel play about composer Janáček receives Czech premiere

Thursday evening sees the premiere of a Czech version of the play Performances by the Irish dramatist Brian Friel. It should be of particular interest to Czech music lovers, as Performances is based on an episode in the life of Leoš Janáček and features one of the last pieces the great composer wrote.  More

ArtsThe Macropulos Case returns to Prague’s National Theatre

The opera Věc Makropulos by Czech composer Leoš Janáček, premiered at Prague’s National Theatre on Thursday in a co-production with the English National Opera. In this edition of the Arts, we take a closer look at the opera, known as The Makropulos Case in English, and at its production in Prague. More

Czech MusicEncore: Inventions and fairy tales: Bach, Novak and Janacek

In this edition of Encore we look at a rarely used musical form, shared by Bach and the 20th century Czech composer, Jan Novak. We also feature two highly promising young Czech musicians, cellist Tomas Jamnik and pianist Ivo Kahanek.  More

NewsMoravian capital to make Janacek's Brno regular event

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.  More