An evening of powerful stories and the joy of making music. The program features Bohuslav Martinů’s symphonic prelude The Rock, inspired by American settlers, Witold Lutosławski’s Cello Concerto performed by JFO’s artist-in-residence Johannes Moser, and Antonín Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony — a celebration of Czech musicality, warmth, and vitality. The orchestra will be led by Ingo Metzmacher.

Bohuslav Martinů
The Rock, symphonic prelude for large orchestra, H. 363

Witold Lutosławski
Cello Concerto

Antonín Dvořák
Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op. 60, B. 112

Johannes Moser – cello
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava
Ingo Metzmacher – conductor

Bohuslav Martinů’s symphonic prelude The Rock was inspired by memories of the English settlers’ landing in America in December 1620 at Plymouth Rock, near Cape Cod.

The stories of these early settlers, as recorded by William Bradford, the future first governor of New England, reminded Martinů of his own arrival on American shores in 1941.

Polish composer Witold Lutosławski’s Cello Concerto, written between 1969 and 1970 for legendary Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, is among his most celebrated works.

An inventive application of New Music techniques gave rise to a dramatic, sonically rich, multilayered composition built around the conflict between the soloist and the orchestra — a struggle of the individual against a harsh surrounding world.

The soloist will be Johannes Moser, JPO’s artist-in-residence and one of today’s leading German cellists.

The evening will conclude with Antonín Dvořák’s Sixth Symphony, a work radiating the composer’s personal happiness and optimism. Composed in 1880, the symphony draws inspiration from Czech folk music — evident in its lyrical opening, magical adagio, wild scherzo (a furiant), and jubilant finale. Dvořák’s Sixth captures the pure joy of music-making, a spirit that will be brought to life under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Ingo Metzmacher.