Legendary Czech avant-garde singer, violinist, and actress Iva Bittová, with her son, composer and pianist Antonín Fajt, present the first spring concert of the Bohemian National Hall.
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Step into a world of sound where spring comes alive in a fusion of jazz, folk, and avant-garde melodies. Join the legendary Iva Bittová and her son Antonín Fajt alongside special guests for an unforgettable evening that blends their latest project, Elida, with soulful improvisations and timeless folk songs.
Iva Bittová – violin and vocalsAntonín Fajt – piano and electronicsOtto Hauser – drumsMatěj Číp – cimbalom
Iva Bittová is a Czech avant-garde violinist, singer, and composer renowned for blending rock, Eastern European folk, and experimental sounds. Initially trained as an actress, she transitioned to music in the 1980s, studying violin and developing a distinctive vocal style. Her 1987 album Svatba, created with percussionist Pavel Fajt, earned her international acclaim. Throughout her career, Bittová has released eight solo albums, collaborated with leading musicians, and delved into classical and avant-garde genres. Her performances are known for their expressive vocals and dynamic movement. She also appeared in the Academy Award-nominated film Želary (2003).
Composer and pianist Antonín Fajt blends Eastern European folk, jazz, and classical music. Raised in Lelekovice, Czech Republic, in a musical family—his mother, Iva Bittová, is a singer and violinist, and his father, Pavel Fajt, is a drummer and composer—he moved to the Hudson Valley, NY, in 2007. His work often explores folk materials, sampling, texture, and repetition. Antonín holds a BA from Bard College ('14), where he studied with composer Joan Tower. Outside of music, he enjoys cooking, outdoor activities, and organizing events. He has collaborated with artists such as Dean Sharp, Niloufar Shiri, and Eyvind Kang, and performs with his group Mantis, in duo with Iva Bittová, and in various improv scenes. He is currently completing his PhD and composing a major work on the Hudson River at UC Irvine.
Otto Hauser is a renowned multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator, best known for his work as a drummer. Originally from Rochester, New York, Otto currently lives in the Hudson Valley. He leads the ensemble Expectations and co-leads Etheric Currents, Half Hearts, and the Gamble/Hauser/Wood Trio. Over the past 20 years, Hauser has contributed to over 100 studio albums and performed globally, collaborating with a diverse range of artists including Kath Bloom, Vashti Bunyan, The Black Crowes, Jeff Tweedy, Don Byron, Steve Gadd, Meshell Ndegeocello, Devendra Banhart, Sharon Van Etten, and many more.
Matěj Číp is a Czech cimbalom player from Hodslavice, Moravia, whose passion for the instrument began at age eight. Trained by leading Czech educators, he won first prize at the 2017 International Cimbalom Performing Arts Competition and became the first-ever cimbalom college student in the U.S., earning a Summa Cum Laude diploma at Northern State University. His studies took him to the Central Conservatory in Beijing, where he performed at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and now to Berklee NYC, where he explores live music production. Dedicated to showcasing the cimbalom globally, Číp collaborates with musicians, lectures at universities, and shares his journey as the "Cimbalom Guy" on social media.
Organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York.
