Yesterday the Brno Philharmonic played the most important concert in its modern history. In New York’s Carnegie Hall it presented an unusual programme combining Czech and American music: Martinů, Janáček, and Glass. Symphony No. 12 “Lodger” became the event of the evening, because it was performed in the New York premiere, and in the personal presence of the composer Philip Glass.
“I don’t even know if it was all just a dream. The audience was amazingly receptive to Martinů and Janáček, we received a grand ovation. After the interval, Principal Conductor Dennis Russell Davies welcomed Philip Glass to the audience and there was an immediate cheer before we even started playing. Glass is simply an icon and it is a great honour for us to play for him,” said Marie Kučerová, director of the Brno Philharmonic. “Further ovations followed after the piece ended, and the applause grew even louder when the composer came on stage to thank us personally,” added Kučerová.
The fact that this is an extraordinary event was confirmed by one of the leading Czech cellists, Tomáš Jamník, who is currently in New York and attended the concert. “As soon as I arrived, I was amazed by the sold-out hall, which is rare these days. With a very unconventional programme, the Philharmonic clearly hit the taste of the New York audience. Martinů and Janáček were performed in an absolutely ideal form and Glass’s symphony put the crown on everything, hats off to him,” Jamník described his impressions after the concert.
This prestigious concert was made possible thanks to Dennis Russell Davies, who has a close friendship and collaboration with Glass that spans several decades. “It was a wonderful evening. It means a lot to me that I was able to play a piece directly to Phil with my orchestra,” said Davies. He also appreciates the fact that he was the first orchestra in the world to record a symphony on CD with the Brno Philharmonic. He composed the Glass Symphony to lyrics by David Bowie with a solo part for five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo.
The musicians also took away great impressions from the evening. “The genius loci there is amazing. Compared to Japanese halls, Carnegie is a bit 'retro', but the atmosphere is amazing. Just the ubiquitous posters of the celebrities who performed there. Acoustically wonderful, we could all hear each other great on stage. The concert itself was a great experience for us, the audience reaction was great – even to our writers. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we felt a great sense of pride during the thanksgiving,” said cellist Radan Vach.
The American tour continues on February 10 with a concert in Ann Arbor, again combining Czech and American music. The program includes William Bolcom’s Humoresque and two works by Leoš Janáček: Sinfonietta and Glagolitic Mass. “I dare say this is the first time Janáček will be heard in that hall. Moreover, with local soloists and choir and also the brass section in the Sinfonietta. We are very curious about the interplay,” emphasized Kučerová, explaining that the combination of local and guest artists is used in cases of large orchestras. After Ann Arbor, the Philharmonic will play five more concerts: three in California, one in Kansas City with Laurie Anderson, and end the tour in Texas.
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