Czech Philharmonic

5 January 2018 DECCA RELEASE: SMETANA MÁ VLAST

10-18 February 2018 UK & EIRE TOUR CONDUCTED BY TOMÁŠ NETOPIL

“It’s always great pleasure to work with and create again those treasures of Czech musical culture. Real honour is also for me to carry on a heritage of Jiří Bělohlávek whose love for Czech music remains and inspires us forever.” TOMÁŠ NETOPIL

In the year that marks the 100th anniversary of Czech and Slovak independence, the Czech Philharmonic's year starts with the release of Jiří Bělohlávek's recording of Smetana's Má vlast. Made at the time of his performance to open the 2014 Spring Festival, this set of six symphonic poems is inextricably linked both with the history of the , and that of the Czech Philharmonic. In 1929, under Václav Talich, it was the first work to be recorded by the Orchestra.

Má vlast is also the work with which the Czech Philharmonic under Principal Guest Conductor Tomáš Netopil will complete its tour of the UK and Eire this February. Netopil, who studied violin and conducting both in his native Czech Republic with Jiří Bělohlávek and under the guidance of Jorma Panula at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, made his debut with the Czech Philharmonic ten years ago. He has subsequently returned to conduct the Orchestra many times, most recently at the 2017 Grafenegg Festival and on tour in Switzerland.

The opening concert of the Czech Philharmonic's tour on Saturday 10 February also features Josef Špaček, the Orchestra's Associate Artist and Concertmaster. Špaček, who is the soloist for Dvořák's , is the youngest violinist in the history of the Czech Philharmonic to serve as Concertmaster and, is in much demand internationally as a soloist. His recent recording of the Dvořák and Janáček Violin Concertos paired with Suk’s Fantasy conducted by Jiří Bělohlávek was released by Supraphon and named “Recording of the week” by The Sunday Times in the UK, “Recording of the Month and of the Year” by MusicWeb International, and received a 5* review from France’s Diapason.

Also touring with the Czech Philharmonic is cellist Alisa Weilerstein who will alternate concertos by Shostakovich and Dvořák. Weilerstein is a regular collaborator with the Orchestra, first performing Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Orchestra in 2011. Two years later, Weilerstein was invited to play Dvořák's Cello Concerto under Jiří Bělohlávek in Prague, later recording it for Decca and subsequently performing it with the Czech Philharmonic in Germany and Switzerland, as well as at the BBC Proms in 2014. The following year she gave three performances of Prokofiev's Sinfonia Concertante with Bělohlávek in Prague.

In 1902, just six years after the Orchestra had been formed, the Czech Philharmonic made its first tour outside Austria-Hungary. The tour which was conducted by Oskar Nedbal with Jan Kubelík as soloist included 8 concerts in England. The Orchestra has subsequently returned on many occasions most recently in 2016 when it gave an acclaimed performance of Janáček's Jenůfa under Jiří Bělohlávek at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The Guardian commented: "The Czech Philharmonic’s playing, richly detailed and superbly focused, was incomparable."

On 23 October, prior to embarking on its first US tour with its new Chief Conductor and Music Director, Semyon Bychkov, the Czech Philharmonic will return to the UK at the invitation of the Embassy to celebrate the centenary of Czech and Slovak independence.

For further information: Ginny Macbeth/Moë Faulkner: 020 7251 9448 [email protected] Czech Philharmonic

UK & EIRE TOUR 10–18 February 2018 Tomáš Netopil, conductor

LEEDS, Town Hall, Saturday 10 February 2018, 7.30pm Dvořák Slavonic Dances Nos. 14 & 16 Dvořák Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 Dvořák Symphony No. 9 From the New World Soloist: Josef Špaček, violin

BRISTOL, Colston Hall, Sunday 11 February 2018, 7.30pm Dvořák Symphonic Variations, Op. 78 Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 107 Dvořák Symphony No. 9 From the New World Soloist: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

MANCHESTER, Bridgewater Hall, Monday 12 February 2018, 7.30pm Mozart Don Giovanni Overture Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Dvořák Symphony No. 9 From the New World Soloist: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall, Wednesday 14 February 2018, 7.30pm Mozart Don Giovanni Overture Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Dvořák Symphony No. 9 From the New World Soloist: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall, Thursday 15 February 2018, 7.30pm Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Smetana Tábor & Blaník from Má vlast Elgar Enigma Variations, Op. 36 Soloist: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

BASINGSTOKE, The Anvil, Friday 16 February 2018, 7.45pm Dvořák Symphonic Variations, Op. 78 Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 107 Dvořák Symphony No. 9 From the New World Soloist: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

DUBLIN, National Concert Hall, Saturday 17 February 2018, 8pm Dvořák Slavonic Dances Nos. 14 & 16 Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Dvořák Symphony No. 9 From the New World Soloist: Alisa Weilerstein, cello

DUBLIN, National Concert Hall, Sunday 18 February 2018, 8pm Smetana Má vlast A special family concert will take place from 3pm focusing on Šárka from Smetana’s Má vlast led by speaker Jonathan James and Tomáš Netopil

DECCA Release: SMETANA MÁ VLAST Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor Decca Classics (4833187) Release Date: 5 January 2018

Czech Philharmonic/Má vlast CD Release and UK & Eire Tour 2018 Press Release: 2