On Friday 24th July the concert of the legend of the Czech violin school Václav Hudeček, who will play together with piano virtuoso Jan Simon, will take place at the Castle Riding Hall. The soloists will present the Concerto for violin, piano and orchestra in D minor by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. They will be accompanied by the South Czech Philharmonic under the baton of Vojtěch Spurný. In the second part of the evening the audience will hear the famous Serenade in C major by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Hudeček’s pleasant manner enchants audiences of all ages. His style of play combines technical mastery with an emotionally rich tone and joy, which he is able to pass on to the audience in an unmistakable way. He has performed with renowned orchestras on the most prestigious stages around the world. He also systematically supports the young generation of interpreters: every year he organizes summer violin classes in Luhačovice and introduces young interpreters as guests at his concerts. And how does he feel about the period of his performing maturity? “A musician develops during all his life; however, the basic characteristics of his artistic personality are set in early adulthood. For the rest of his life he only matures like wine.”
Pianist Jan Simon regularly performs with renowned orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra etc. As the youngest instrumentalist in the history of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra he obtained the statutory title of soloist of this ensemble in 1994. Since 2001 he has held managerial posts connected with the activities of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and was its director for several years.
Evenings with culinary specialities of a certain country or region in the Brewery Garden have become a tradition at the festival. Saturday 25th July will belong to the Cuban Evening. The Son Caliente group, singer Elsa Valle and trumpeter Jorge Vistel with the Gustav Brom Czech Radio Big Band will perform; specialities of the Cuban cuisine will be prepared for the visitors. Cuban gastronomy has been influenced by Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, the cuisine of local Indians and last but not least also by Chinese cuisine. Pork meat is dominant; therefore, for example, suckling pigs roasted on fire will be served. Cubans really like meat meals so, for example, grilled chicken with a meat side dish is nothing unusual. The catering of the Cuban Evening was inspired by that too.
An ample choice of desserts of different tastes, smells and colours is a must. And we must not forget mellow tropical fruit. A degustation of typical Cuban rums will be included and Cuban cigars are prepared for smokers.
The third festival week will offer two chamber concerts at the Masquerade Hall: a recital of guitarist Lubomír Brabec (29/7) and a concert of the famous Slovak Mucha Quartet with the pantomime of mime Vladimír Kulíšek (30/7). On Friday 31/7 world-renowned violinist Pavel Šporcl accompanied by the South Czech Philharmonic will perform at the Castle Riding Hall. Saturday’s concert titled James Bond Music and World Musicals will offer film melodies and hits from musicals interpreted by Broadway soloists in the Brewery Garden.