Janacek Philharmonic Ostrava

A diverse range of solo instruments, romantic compositions, works from the mid-20th century, and works by contemporary composers - all will be offered in the symphonic concerts of the JPO's 71st season. The Vesmir Hall will be rocked by one of Beethoven's most important piano concertos performed by Denis Kozhukhin. The young, charismatic French-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas will play Saint-Saëns' First Cello Concerto alongside the JPO. Bartók's Second Violin Concerto will be played by the world-renowned and award-winning Ilya Gringolts. Venezuelan artist Pacho Flores, one of today's leading trumpeters, will complete the repertoire of soloists.

Dramaturgy of the second symphonic cycle of the JPO will offer, among others, music by the masters of French musical impressionism Debussy and Ravel. The performance of Anton Bruckner's Third Symphony will mark the two hundredth anniversary of the composer's birth. We will have an opportunity to listen to works by Czech composers. One of Leoš Janáček's masterpieces or Antonín Dvořák's Violin Concerto will echo in the Vesmir Hall. Composer John Adams, one of the icons of contemporary American music culture, will have the opportunity to perform. Contemporary music will also be performed by violin virtuoso Leila Josefowicz.

The C cycle concerts are for listeners who have yet to discover and explore the world of classical music. And in a somewhat non-classical, cheerful and playful way. They are designed for listeners who may be apprehensive about not being able to understand it very well, but also for experienced young listeners of our family concerts who want to progress further on their musical journey. They will be guided by actress Markéta Matulová, conductor Maroš Potokár together with all the musicians. They are presented as specific personalities with not only outstanding musical talent but also an excellent sense of humour. Markéta Matulová plays the role of an inexperienced but enthusiastic listener who, after two years with the Janáček Philharmonic, is increasingly more and more fascinated by the magic of classical music and the orchestra itself. This season she will look upon them as her partner in various life situations. What can he expect from such a partnership? And will Markéta's expectations be fulfilled? Is classical music also an important part of your lives? If so, you are cordially invited. And if not, you are especially welcome. Recommended for children from the 2nd grade of elementary school.

Cycle D Family Concerts are designed to truly bring the whole family together. Children ages five and up, their parents and grandparents. The guides are actors Michal Sedláček and Jakub Burýšek as cousins Vladimír and Ota. Together with them you can experience an unusual Sunday morning or afternoon. And since Ota is still bragging about winning all possible and impossible competitions in his third concert season, Vláďa has run out of patience. He decided he had to beat him this concert season. So he announces one competition after another for Otto and wants to become a winner at any cost. Will he succeed? Who will you be rooting for? Will Ota win again? Or maybe the conductor or someone from the orchestra? And as is our custom, you, our dear listeners, will be involved in the action on stage. And so it may well happen that one of you will win in the end. Whatever the outcome, it's sure to be a fun-filled evening of music, good humour and family atmosphere. And what will our heroes compete in? Recommended for children from 1st grade of elementary school.

Cycle E is marked by the vigour of rising musical stars. The Janáček Philharmonic has traditionally given space to talented performers for whom this is often their first performance with a large symphonic ensemble. Four concerts and a varied selection of works from different periods and artistic movements await us. There will be works by Saint-Saëns, Martinů, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Brahms, as well as a new work commissioned for the JPO. The soloists will be artists who have successfully passed the JPO's Young Talent Competition - this year focusing on keyboard and percussion instruments under the artistic guarantee of Ivo Kahánek, and there will also be young conductors from the Zurich Academy of Music. The concerts will newly include an accompanying speech by the moderator Anna Bangoura.

Together with Aneta Langerová at the Gong in Ostrava, we will celebrate twenty years of her musical career. Kateřina Marie Tichá, Jan Maxián, and other well-known personalities will commemorate the work of composer Petr Hapka with a concert on what would have been his eightieth birthday. Dan Bárta, with his unmistakable rock voice, renowned for his roles as Jesus and Judas in the most successful Czech production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, along with the most sought-after musical actors of today, will offer a selection of the best from world musicals. The premiere of the author's project Plus/Minus Ro©k will bring a completely new connection between rock music and orchestral sound.

Krysztof Penderecki's passion for Polish contemporary music will be showcased at the Vesmír Hall by the Airis String Quartet from Krakow, Poland. Music for solo cello by the young French cellist Bruno Philippe will dominate the second evening of the chamber concert cycle. The third evening will be marked by classicism and will belong to Ostrava's Camerata Janáček ensemble, which will be accompanied by JPO Soloist-in-Residence pianist Federico Colli. The cycle will finish with a song recital by Slovak soprano Simona Šaturová and Czech pianist Marek Kozák.

The culmination of the year of Czech music and a symbolic Christmas gift to the Ostrava audience will be a new composition commissioned by the JPO from the pen of contemporary Czech composer Jiří Trtík. There will also be the traditional "Rybovka". The captivating power of music, in which contrasts unbridled liveliness with expressive melancholy, brings together the compositions of the New Year's concert, which will be played in three consecutive evenings. We enter 2025 to the sound of Sibelius, Ravel and Tchaikovsky.

Sit back and be moved by the tones from the works of musical giants. Would you prefer passionate tango or romantic piano literature? In the Opava cycle, you will find both. During the four concerts, the orchestra traditionally plays not only the works of the most famous classics but also the works of extraordinary performers. Among them is the internationally acclaimed pianist Lukáš Vondráček, who will appear in his native Opava as a soloist in one of the most demanding piano concertos. All this in the scenery of St. Wenceslas Church, which will enhance the musical experience.

In order to satisfy as many listeners as possible, we have selected the best of the symphonic concerts of the A and B cycles. You will be able to enjoy them on four Friday evenings. The Symphony Fridays cycle will feature Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto performed by the world-renowned Denis Kozhukhin. Music by the masters of French musical impressionism will be performed, including Debussy's The Sea. Stravinsky's musical rendition of The Firebird will enchant you with its oriental touch. The series will close with Dvořák's Violin Concerto performed by Japanese-Canadian violinist Karen Gomyo.

The newly appointed JPO soloist-in-residence Federico Colli returns to Ostrava with a piano recital, performing works by Ligeti, Couperin and Mozart. South Korean pianist Yeol Eum Son will bring a cross-section of virtuoso piano compositions from the 19th century. Only twenty-six years old, Japanese pianist Mao Fujita will offer preludes by Scriabin, Japanese composer Yashiro and Beethoven's Appasionata. The recital cycle will conclude with Russian pianist Yulianna Avdeeva, who gained worldwide recognition when she won first prize at the 2010 Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. She became only the fourth woman in the world to do so.

The Janáček May Festival, the St. Wenceslas Music Festival... these are just two prestigious Czech festivals where music-loving audiences can enjoy the performances of the JPO. The pleasant atmosphere of these festivals is enhanced by the charm of a classical music concert. The also orchestra regularly plays in other cities of the region – most often in Orlová and Nový Jičín, but also in Karviná, Havířov, Frýdek-Místek and Opava.

Every year we perform concert series in Europe, Asia and North America for a number of promoters. The orchestra is especially superb in the world-famous Czech symphonic repertoire such as Dvořák`s symphonies or Smetana`s and Janáček`s opera overtures, and also in opera gala programs. Recent destinations include New York, Seoul, Paris, Beijing, Wien, Hamburg or Munich .