Argentine Tango Dance in Kooperativa Garden 

Real summer weather was characteristic for the closing festival week. The first of three literally scorching tropical August evenings belonged to temperamental as well as melancholic tango interpreted by the musicians from the Escualo Quintet ensemble. The evening under the open skies in the Kooperativa Garden, which took place on Thursday 6^th August, was titled Tango Argentino and the audience heard mainly concert compositions by the most famous Argentine composers, Ástor Piazzolla, but also compositions by other authors such as Ángel Villoldo, Francisco Canaro and Richard Galliano. “The composition of our quintet – violin, guitar, bandoneon, piano and contrabass – is the original composition for Ástor Piazzolla’s tango nuevo style. Actually, our ensemble borrowed its name Escualo from one of Ástor Piazzolla’s compositions, which translates as ´shark´. But we also play other Argentine styles, tango viejo and tango típico, which is dance music,” said the leader of the ensemble and accordion and bandoneon player Jakub Jedlinský. “The atmosphere of the festival was beautiful, I was enchanted especially by the delighted reactions of the audience,” he added. And what does Argentine tango require from a musician? “You must, of course, get the ´feeling´ of this music and the local folklore. It is also necessary to learn some techniques which work in tango but cannot be used, for example, in classical music including improvisation.” Singer Gabriela Vermelho performed with the Escualo Quintet as a guest. “I met this ensemble when I was working on my own album, where accordionist Jakub Jedlinský was playing. I love to sing Argentine tango; I always told myself that it would attract me. It is great music. As I have a two-year-old daughter, I only do things which I really enjoy. And the Escualo Quintet is one of them.” Besides the lights in the garden and the coloured illumination of the stage, Argentine tango dancing performed by the master dance couple Markéta Růžičková and David Lang from the Tangueros group also contributed to the atmosphere of the evening. During the intermission the concert visitors had the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine which was prepared for them in the garden.        

 

Masquerade Hall Resounded with Baroque Music Superbly Interpreted by Roger Isaacs and Musica Florea Ensemble

On the penultimate evening of the IMF Český Krumlov 2015 on Friday 7^th August the last concert from the chamber series was played at the Masquerade Hall at the chateau. The Musica Florea ensemble, which engages primarily in so-called historically informed interpretation of Baroque music, performed. The magical spaces of the Masquerade Hall with paintings by Josef Lederer from the middle of the 18^th century offer a setting where this type of music feels “at home”. The audience heard compositions by Baroque composers such as Georg Friedrich Händel, Antonio Vivaldi, Jan Dismas Zelenka and others. South African countertenor Roger Isaacs sang together with the Musica Florea ensemble. “I have known the work of the Musica Florea ensemble for a long time and I have always wanted to perform with them. Reality actually surpassed my expectations, we got on superbly and the concert was a truly unique experience for me, perhaps one of the strongest ones in my career up to now. I was enchanted both by Prague and Český Krumlov,” said Roger Isaacs after the concert, who visited the Czech Republic for the very first time. “The idea to connect our orchestra with the singing of countertenor Roger Isaacs turned out to be a great choice. Roger Isaacs is incredibly flexible and musical, it was great to cooperate with him. This connection enriched us also in terms of our repertoire – Mr. Isaacs brought his repertoire here but also accepted the invitation to the sphere of Czech music and sang compositions by Jan Dismas Zelenka,” said the artistic leader of the ensemble Musica Florea, violoncellist Marek Štryncl. And why did the Musica Florea ensemble decide to dedicate itself to authentic interpretation of old music? “Just as we wouldn’t put an old painting in a modern frame, period instruments and methods of playing or singing of the time suit old music best. We don’t play Bach in the same way as we play Stravinsky, we try to interpret the composition according to the period in which the author lived, what means of expression he had in mind and how he himself imagined the interpretation.” Is the concert performance of chosen arias just as authentic as performing a whole Baroque opera for Marek Štryncl? “Both belong to authentic interpretation of old music. A concert consisting of popular opera arias was, even in the Baroque period, a common event, so it is just as authentic for us to present this program – as we did, for example, today at the Masquerade Hall – as a period opera performance at the Baroque Theatre at the chateau. By the way, the history infused town of Český Krumlov is a sort of repository of inspiration for us from which we constantly draw ideas. The idea to create a project of a travelling Baroque theatre, Florea Theatrum, which we put into operation in 2014, also originated here,” is how Marek Štryncl appreciated the genius loci of Český Krumlov.              

 

Young Laureates of International Competitions Close 24^th Year of Festival

The official closing concert which concluded the International Music Festival Český Krumlov 2015 took place on Saturday 8^th August at the Castle Riding Hall. Two young interpreters, South Korean violinist Ji Man Wee and violoncellist Carmine Miranda from the USA, accompanied by the South Czech Philharmonic made an appearance under the baton of Slovak conductor Mario Košík. “The scenery of Český Krumlov is beautiful and in less than a quarter of a century of its existence the festival has reached the level of world famous festivals also thanks to the stars who have performed here, including Plácido Domingo. It was an honour for me to perform at this concert,” said Mario Košík after the concert. And what is the cooperation with young interpreters like? “In the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra where I conduct, we often give an opportunity to young soloists, not only from Slovakia but also to the laureates of international competitions, so I really like these concerts. It was great to cooperate with the two soloists today. Ji Man Wee and Carmine Miranda are excellent interpreters, incredibly talented. At their age they already have a number of successes to their credit and even their performance tonight was impressive.” Both soloists, Ji Man Wee and Carmine Miranda, participated in the official closing of the festival at the Castle Riding Hall. “It was a beautiful concert, Mario Košík is a fantastic conductor. We enjoyed playing with the South Czech Philharmonic, both as soloists in the compositions by Robert Schumann and Ludwig van Beethoven and together in the Double concerto for violin, cello, strings and harpsichord by Antonio Vivaldi. In spite of the heat which was there tonight, the Castle Riding Hall is a beautiful hall. And the town of Český Krumlov is like from a fairy tale, especially the chateau is really impressive. We would like to thank the festival for giving us the opportunity to perform here,” said Carmine Miranda on behalf of both soloists. “Music is a language which connects everybody – that’s why we are here tonight. I am delighted by tonight’s concert, the orchestra and the soloists were superb, the audience reacted enthusiastically. Český Krumlov is a beautiful town and I am proud of the fact that the festival has managed to reach the level of world renowned festivals. The IMF Český Krumlov will celebrate a quarter of a century next year, which a truly remarkable anniversary,” is how Minister of Regional Development Karla Šlechtová appreciated the festival. And then the president of the festival Jaromír Boháč officially closed the festival, “I would like to thank all those who participated in the organization of this year’s festival, the festival team and all our partners. I look forward to meeting you at the opening of the next, 25^th year!”