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The Czech Nonet is shown at a site of great historical and cultural importance. They are on the steps of the Rodulfinum, the home of the Czech Philharmonic. The river behind them is the Vltava (or the Moldau as some know it). The Hradcany Castle is on the hill above them, where president Vaclav Havel resides and the Parliament meets. To your left is the Institute of Arts and Graphic Arts, to your right behind the Rudolfinum is the Prague Conservatory and Dance Conservatory. Behind you is Charles University, the second oldest university in Europe.
To: Concert Presentors:
The Czech Nonet is planning two tours in the United States, the first in the northeast from September 15, 1998 and October 4, 1998, and the second starting January 18, 1999 in Miami, FL and proceeding up I95 to Boston, MA on February 16, 1999. We would like to help you present this fine ensemble in your concert series.
Since its inception in 1924, the Nonet has enjoyed an excellent reputation and has attracted the attention of many important compositions. Over three hundred compositions have been written from this inspiration.
The Czech Nonet is well known throughout Europe and South America and they have numerous recording. As you will see from the information below, is well received by critics and audiences alike. You have an opportunity to present an this world class ensemble at a very modest cost.
To send an email message about engaging the Czech Nonet, [click here]. or call 1-602-668-9236.
The Czech Nonet, one of the oldest chamber groups in the world, is very unique, not only in its long and successful tradition, but even with its quite original instrumental makeup. When it was formed in the year 1924 at the Prague Conservatory, inspired the Nonet of Ludwig Spohr, hardly anyone anticipated that the ensemble would very soon establish a concept for the entire musical public. From its very first moments, the ensemble become the center of enthusiastic attention from the public and music critics because of the extensive inspiration it gave to composers.
Thanks to its instrumentation (violin, viola, cello, contrabass and the woodwind quintet with its flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn), it provided an almost inexhaustible supply of colorful combinations and its full sound is effectively that of a chamber orchestra. If we take into account that the members of the nonet throughout its history were always remarkable musicians and well known as soloists on the concert stage and even the recording studio, it comes as no surprise that the nonet has travelled all over the world accompanied by critical praise and has been guests at the leading music festivals of the world.
The Czech Nonet has inspired through its performances the creation of a long series of compositions (today over three hundred and constantly new one are added), many of which are dedicated to the Nonet by such personalities as S. Prokofiev, W. Lutoslawski, B. Martinu, A. Haba and others). The Nonet has thus always been an enthusiastic and determined proponent of contemporary music.
The Musicians
Jana Herajnova, violin studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Music with Alexander Plocek and later with Nathan Milstein in Zurich. International competition prizes include finalist in Moscow 1978. She was a member of the Prague Symphony Orchestra in 1992-1994 and is now professor of violin at the Conservatory of Pardubice and Prague. Recordings with the Czech Radio include the complete Sonatas for Violin Solo by E. Ysaye and Cappriccios by N. Paganini. With the Nonet since 1995.
Jan Nykryn, viola studied at the Prague Conservatory, at Lawrence University (1991/2), master classes with Kata Havas (Oxford and Madeline Island). With the Nonet since 1995.
Simona Hecova, violoncello studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Music, with M. Mlejnik in Klagenfurt and B. Pergamenschikow and F. Helmerson in Lubeck. Prizes included Boris Heran (1986) and Liezen, Austria (1992 and 1994). She records for the Czech Radio.
Radovan Hec, contrabass studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Music, master classes with Maurice Bourge, Boris Pergamenschikow and Sandor Vegh. Member of Symposium Musicum, Opera Mozart. and since 1996 the Czech Nonet.
Jiri Skuhura, flute studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Music. He is prize winner of Concertino Praga, solo flute of State Opera Prague, member of Prague Wind Harmony, and since 1993 the Czech Nonet.
Jiri Krejci, oboe studied with the famous Frantisek Hantak. He was solo oboe of the Prague Chamber Orchestra for 20 years, artistic leader of the Collegium Musicum Pragense for 15 years, a most important soloist thoughout Europe, and member of the Czech Wind Sextet, Czech Piano Quintet, and Prague Wind Harmony. He has a large discography as solist and chamber musician.
Ales Hustoles, clarinet studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Music and won several prizes. He is a member of the National Theater, Opera Mozart, Prague Wind Harmony and since 1994 the Czech Nonet.
Pavel Langpaul, bassoon studied at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Music and won several prizes including Prague Spring. He is solo basson with the National Theater, Opera Mozart, Prague Wind Harmony and since 1994 the Czech Nonet.
Vladimira Klanska, horn studied at the Prague Conservatory and later at the Academy of Music with Vladimir Kubat. She is a winner of the Munich ARD competition and has been solo horn with the Prague Symphony Orchestra. She is hornist and manager of both the Czech Nonet and the reknowned Prague Wind Quintet. She is very active in chamber music, and as a soloist and recording artists.
El Norte de Castilla, November 1993
The Czech Nonet presented a first-class concert, distinguished by
refined interpretation, musical richness and great beauty of tone.
The nine performers are in perfect command of their instruments,
enabling them to perform at an enviable technical level, at which
the greatest naturalness prevails, along with an uninterrupted current
of musicality -- limpid, eloquent, full of artistic veracity.
Lidova demokracie, December 1994
The Czech Nonet played superlatively, with great brilliance
and freshness, truly in virtuoso form. In this case rejuvenation
has brought results which can only be called truly remarkable.
Hamburger Abendblatt, March 1996
The Musica Bohemica Ensemble was followed at
the festival by the Czech Nonet, and its interpretation of the Spohr and
Schubert pieces provided the greatest experience of the festival as far
as tonal beauty is concerned. With the Schubert Octet, the Prague artists
vouchsafed us fifty two truly heavenly minutes.
La Presse, Montreux, November 1994
PRAGA MUSICA on the Riveiera. Prague has sent to the festival
the flower of its interpretive art. The prestigious Czech Nonet
reaped a huge success with their Sunday matinee, which had
to be moved to the Great Hall because of the huge interest.
Repetoire, November 1996.
The interpretation, betraying a phenomenal level of intellectual,
emotional and instrumental balance, brought out the immense clarity
and richness of the compositions. The extraordinary entusiam of all
the interpreters, the spendid sound of the winds, the penetrating
analytical and dramatic feeling -- all make this recording a model
of interpretration. There can be no doubt that we have before us
the best recording of the work of Bohuslav Martinu of these days.
2.
Bohuslav Martinu: Nonet No. 2
Antonin Vranicky: Quintet in g minor for Oboe and Strings
Antonin Rejcha: Octet in E Flat Major
3.
Bohuslav Martinu: Nonet No. 2
Witold Lutaslawski: Dances - Preludes
Jiri Jaroch: Children Suite
Antonin Dvorak: Serenade in d minor, Op. 44
4.
Johannes Brahms: Serenade in D Major, Op. 11
Antonin Dvorak: Serenade in d minor, Op. 44
5.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Septet in E Flat, Op. 20
Johannes Brahms: Serenade in D Major, Op. 11
Other pieces available:
Jan Novak: Balletti a9 (20')
Jiri Jaroch: Nonet No. 2 (20') (extraordinary)
Viktor Kalabis: Nonet No. 2 (Hommage a la Nature) (15')
Geraldina Muchova: Variations for Nonet (15') (beautiful)