The Recital of Petr Nekoranec kicked off the Year of Czech Music abroad. The concert featured songs by Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Bohuslav Martinů and Leoš Janáček. Tenor Petr Nekoranec was accompanied by Valeria Polunina, a Russian-American pianist. The concert was opened by the online remarks of Martin Baxa, the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, and Jan Lipavský, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Professor Michael Beckerman provided insightful comments and lead the audience through the works of the big four of the Czech musical composers.
Photo credit: Bruce C_T_Bybee
The Year of Czech Music 2024
The Year of Czech Music is a unique event dating back to 1924 when Bedřich Smetana’s 100th anniversary was celebrated. With only a few exceptions, the Year of Czech Music has been celebrated every decade ever since and has gradually expanded its dramaturgy to include the anniversaries of other Czech composers and musicians (Antonín Dvořák, Josef Suk, Leoš Janáček, Bohuslav Martinů, etc.). Joining in the celebrations for the third time, the Czech Centres will continue to include music in the programming of their international network.
Unlike previous years, this year's celebration of the Year of Czech Music will be open not only to classical music, but also to other genres. The Year of Czech Music will showcase an exciting variety that the contemporary Czech music scene has to offer.
In the words of Jan Lipavský, "I believe that music – this universal language – stands to enrich our shared world cultural heritage, fostering our mutual understanding and partnership." And as Consul General Arnošt Kareš stated: „However, even in the midst of celebration, our hearts are heavy with the recent tragic events in Prague at the Univerzita Karlova, Faculty of Arts on December 21. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and we stand in solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence . In times of darkness, music serves as a beacon of hope, offering solace and healing“.
More about the Year of Czech Music 2024 here.
