Biography:

The Smetana Trio, founded in the1934 by the legendary Czech pianist Josef Páleníček, is one of the foremost Czech ensembles today. In 2024, the trio celebrates the 90th jubilee of its foundation. The group can be seen frequently on leading concert stages both in the Czech Republic (Prague Spring, Janáček´s May, Moravian Autumn, Concentus moraviae, Malá Strana Chamber Festivities, Lipa Musica) and abroad (France, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Benelux, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Japan, Brazil, USA, Canada, South America, South Korea, Egypt).

The Smetana Trio works with leading conductors – i. a. Jiří Bělohlávek, Libor Pešek, Serge Baudo, John Axelrod, Michael Boder, Tomáš Hanus, Stanislav Vavřínek – and Czech and foreign orchestras, including, for example the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera italiana Lugano, the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Prague Philharmonic, the ONPL Orchestra Nantes, the Chamber Philharmonic Pardubice, the Moravian Philharmonic Olomouc.

The Smetana Trio has made a number of recordings for Czech and international labels and has recorded regularly for Supraphon since 2000. This cooperation has brought a number of prestigious awards both at home and abroad.

The Czech Music Year 2024 means for the Smetana Trio a great jubilee of Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Josef Suk, Leoš Janáček a.o. and also the founder of the Smetana Trio pianist and composer Josef Páleníček (born 1914) and the Smetana trio itself (founded 1934).

For more information about the Smetana Trio, please visit: https://www.smetanatrio.cz/en/

PROGRAM

Josef Suk (1874 – 1935)
Elegy for piano, violin and cello op. 23

Bohuslav Martinů (1890 – 1959)
Piano Trio in C major H. 332
Allegro moderato 
Andante 
Allegro

Bedřich Smetana (1824 – 1884)                   
Piano Trio in G minor op. 15 
Moderato assai
Allegro ma non agitato
Finale. Presto

Event Details:

Date/Time: October 30, at 6 pm

Venue: Embassy of the Czech Republic
3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Reservations required: https://smetanatrio.eventbrite.com

Admission is free.

Embassy Policy:

The Embassy of the Czech Republic disclaims and excludes any and all liability for any loss, injury, or damage, alleged to have been suffered by or as a result of or otherwise on its premises. No large bags are allowed. Small purses may be checked as you pass through security for entrance. RSVP confirmation and photo ID required.

Parking: Non-metered parking is available on Spring of Freedom Street and Tilden Street.

Closest Metro: The Embassy is about a 15-20 minute walk from the Van Ness Metro Station.