Zemlinsky Quartet
Chamber concerts are a traditional part of the festival. That is why the leading Czech string ensemble – the Zemlinsky Quartet – will perform at the Prokyš Hall of the Český Krumlov Prelature. The quartet is composed of violinists František Souček and Petr Střížek, violist Petr Holman and cellist Vladimír Fortin. According to the critics they breathe like one. The musicians have been playing together for more than 25 years. They will present compositions of iconic composers to the visitors. Among other things, String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, known as “From My Life” will be performed. It was written by Bedřich Smetana at a time, when he was already deaf and which is described as one of the most ingenious works of world chamber music.
Artists
František Souček – violin, Petr Střížek – violin, Vladimír Fortin – violoncello, Petr Holman – viola
Program
F. Schubert – Quartet movement in C minor
B. Smetana – String quartet No 1 in E minor „From My Life“
intermisson
A. Dvořák – Quartet movement in F major, B 120
A. Dvořák – String quartet No 12 in F major, op. 96 „American“
Zemlinsky Quartet
Founded in 1994 while the members were still students, the ZEMLINSKY QUARTET has become a much lauded example of the Czech string quartet tradition. The Zemlinsky Quartet won the First Grand Prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition in 2010. They have also been awarded top prizes at the Banff International String Quartet Competition (2007), Prague Spring International Music Competition (2005) and London International String Quartet Competition (2006), where they also received the Audience Prize. The Quartet was recipient of the Alexander Zemlinsky Advancement Award in 2008. Other notable prizes include Beethoven International Competition (1999), New Talent Bratislava (2003), Martinů Foundation String Quartet Competition (2004), and the Prize of Czech Chamber Music Society (2005). In the season 2016/17, Zemlinsky Quartet was appointed as the residential ensemble of the Czech Chamber Music Society.
Private: Prokyš Hall
One of the most important houses in Český Krumlov from the 14th century in the historical centre of the town contains a real gem – the Prokyš Hall. This former prelature in rococo style is decorated by beautiful frescos by František Jakub Prokyš, who painted mainly for the Schwarzenberg family and church dignitaries. While listening to […]
