Embassy of the Czech Republic in the State of Kuwait

in co-operation with Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah

prepared for you a musical recital to be given by

AD TRIO PRAGUE

Jiří Hurník - violinist

Miloš Jahoda - cellist

Martin Kasík - pianist

 

Date: Monday, 12 January 2009 from 7 pm

Place: Al-Maidan Culture Centre - Abdullah Al-Salem School, Maidan Hawalli

 

AD Trio Prague is a chamber music ensemble whose name contains the initials of the famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. Although formed fairly recently, the group has fast risen to the top, bringing together three of the finest artists on today's Czech music scene: two section leaders of the Prague Symphony - violinist Jiří Hurník and cellist Miloš Jahoda - and the pianist Martin Kasík, who is undoubtedly one of the top pianists of his generation. The AD Trio is invited to leading festivals such as Prague Spring, Janacek's May and the Prague Proms.The ensemble's unique interpretation of the classical piano trio repertoire has been critically acclaimed (…the technical mastery of the Trio is clearly evident…Harmonie 2008). The group performs not only classical repertoire but also closely collaborates with Czech new music composers (Lubos Fišer, Petr Eben, Zdenek Lukas). In addition, its members often perform with notable Czech and foreign orchestras, both as soloists and as a trio. Its recording of piano trios by Dvorak and Smetana was given high praise by the critics (…the Trio thinks in musical terms as one person…Harmonie 2008).

Violinist Jiří Hurník graduated from the Ostrava Conservatory where he studied with Professor Krucek. He continued his studies at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts under Professor Václav Snítil. He is a winner of several competitions, including V. Huml's competition in Zagreb, Unisa in Pretoria, and the Prague Spring competition. His interpretation of contemporary music, particularly that of Czech composer Petr Eben, has been critically acclaimed. In 1988, Mr. Hurník became leader of the Prague Symphony and as soloist with this orchestra he has performed under such esteemed conductors as Libor Pešek, Jean Tortellier, Tadeusz Strugala, Petr Altrichter, and Jiří Bělohlávek. He regularly plays at the Prague Proms, Prague Spring Festival, and the festival Janáček´s May. Jiri Hurnik plays on a master instrument by the Italian maker Vincenza Sannina and Milos Jahoda on a French instrument from the workshop of Albert Caressa.

Violoncellist Miloš Jahoda studied at the Prague Conservatory with František Pišinger and continued his studies at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts under Professor Miroslav Petráš. He has won the Beethoven Hradec competition several times, and in 1995 he became the lead cellist of the Prague Symphony. He is often invited to perform as soloist; for example, he was involved in the world premiere of one of the compositions by American composer Nathan Baker, recorded for Albany Records; he was also invited to play the Dvorak cello concerto in the prestigious Harrogate Festival and King’s Lynn in England, appearing with the Czech National Symphony orchestra under Libor Pesek. He has also played solo parts under the baton of many other esteemed maestros such as Paul Tortellier, Gajetano Delogu, Paul Freeman and Serge Baudo.

Martin Kasík, one of the top Czech pianists of his generation, graduated from the Ostrava Conservatory where he studied with Monika Tugedliebová. He continued his studies at the Prague Academy of Performing Arts under Professor Ivan Klánský. Mr. Kasík is a winner of several prestigious international competitions, including the Young Artists Competition in New York and the Prague Spring Festival competition. In 2000, he won the Davidoff Prix for the best Czech interpreter under 28. In 2002, he was awarded a title of Best Young Artist by Harmonie, the Czech musical monthly. To date, Mr. Kasík has performed as soloist with many esteemed world orchestras, including Chicago Symphony, Mineapolis Symphony, and DSO Berlin. He often performs with the Czech Philharmonic and the Prague Symphony.