2014
23rd year of the International Music Festival Český Krumlov
The year 2014 was declared the Year of Czech Music. The 23rd year of the summer celebrations of music in Český Krumlov reflected this by focusing on Czech music, whilst also featuring outstanding music from all over the world. German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, who was the face and main star of the festival, opened the festivities at the Gala Opera Concert, accompanied by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. As an homage to Czech music, the complete cycle of symphonic poems My Country by Bedřich Smetana was performed, there was a concert titled Homage to Antonín Dvořák, during which violin virtuoso Ivan Ženatý appeared, and Jan Dismas Zelenka’s compositions were performed in the authentic setting of the splendid Baroque Theatre by the ensemble Collegium 1704. The cycle of chamber concerts at the Masquerade Hall included mainly Czech interpreters, whilst the themed concerts Czech Evening and Homage to Czech Musicals featured Czech music of other genres. Among the stars of the festival were cellist Natalia Gutman and soloists from the legendary Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, who closed the festival with their concert.