We present the full program of the 72nd concert season, whose subtitle “Metamorphosis” signals that our philharmonic is not standing still—it continues to evolve and bring new ideas to life.

We enter the new season with a new resident soloist, cellist Johannes Moser. Alongside our traditional concert series, we are introducing a new format called Classical Hours. The newly appointed chief conductor is Daniel Raiskin, who will officially assume the role next season, but he will already take the baton for several concerts, including the best of John Williams’ film music as part of our popular crossover series in Gong. Although we will perform most of the season in our temporary venue Vesmír, we will expand the stage over the summer to accommodate larger orchestral works as part of our programming. Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava is metamorphosing, and in the background of this process, our future home continues to take shape: a cultural complex with a concert hall of world-class acoustic standards.

“It’s always hard to highlight just a few key moments from the program, because every concert is designed to be extraordinary. That said, I could mention the opening concert, where we’ll perform Stabat Mater by one of the most renowned living composers, Arvo Pärt, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on the very day of the concert. Then there’s the Czech premiere of a piece by Martin Klusák, commissioned by JFO and featured in the Symphonic Series B. And let’s not forget the Christmas Concert, where we’ll mark the 150th anniversary of Maurice Ravel’s birth with the Czech premiere of one of his rediscovered works. Joining us on stage this season will be world-class classical artists such as violinists Vadim Gluzman and Jennifer Pike, pianists Javier Perianes and Alexei Volodin, clarinetist Pablo Barragán, and conductors Ingo Metzmacher and Tania Miller, among many others,” says JFO Director Jan Žemla.

Outside of the usual symphonic and chamber music series, we’re bringing something new. “Our orchestra is still performing in the makeshift venue of Vesmír Cinema, which has very limited capacity, so we can’t accommodate everyone interested in our concerts. That’s why we’re launching a new series called Classical Hours. In this format, audiences can enjoy shorter versions of programs we’re preparing for international tours or our subscription cycles. Because the program consists of more familiar pieces, these concerts can serve as a gateway into classical music for those who might feel intimidated by standard-length concerts,” adds Žemla. Two concerts from this new Cycle H will take place on Friday, February 6 and March 20 of next year.

Our new resident soloist is German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser, who has performed with JFO several times in the past, and will continue to do so this season. “I want to bring repertoire to Ostrava that will showcase the orchestra in the best possible light. To me, JFO stands out for its genuine approach to music-making. Usually, high quality comes with high egos, but with JFO, I feel the music is pursued almost selflessly, in a highly productive working atmosphere. Also, I really like the audience in Ostrava,” says Johannes Moser, who will make his debut as resident soloist in June as part of the Opava Series.

“Metamorphosis – transformation, maturation, the search for one’s own path. Not only in music, but in life as well. These were the themes that inspired us when we worked with Dita Pepe to find the leitmotif for the 72nd season catalogue. Among other things, you’ll find hens and eggs featured in the catalogue. We see them as symbols of development, transformation, and new beginnings.
An egg carries the potential for change, cycles, and fragility. And hens carry even more meaning for us. Leoš Janáček himself had a special connection to hens. He is said to have observed them closely and noted down rhythmic patterns from their clucking and pecking. For us too, observation, sensitivity, and transformation are essential creative tools,” said Petra Javůrková, Head of Marketing and Sales at JFO, explaining the choice of the catalogue’s theme.

You can find the full program on our website. Tickets and subscriptions are already on sale. Printed catalogues are available at Vesmír, Janáček Point, and in Ostrava’s information centers.

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