Not only Hungarian rhythms but also classical violin repertoire and film music could be heard in the Brewery Garden on Friday night. On 25^th July the festival continued with a concert under the open skies during which the Hungarian gypsy band Gypsy Virtuoso Orchestra with the characterful bandmaster and violinist Sándor Jávorkai. Jávorkai presented the whole program with his commentary.

He immediately made contact with the audience and time and time again made the audience laugh and applaud thanks to his funny comments. And as the microphone was attached to his violin, in between the compositions he spoke “into the violin”.  The members of the orchestra – born musicians who do not need a score when they play – played the whole concert by heart. From time to time Sándor Jávorkai looked at the printed program of the IMF Český Krumlov to check whether he had not left out one of the planned compositions. The audience could also choose which of Paganini’s 24 Caprices Jávorkai would play. There were two suggestions so Jávorkai played two Caprices, No. 5 and 24, both by heart. The atmosphere at the concert was very relaxed and the listeners enjoyed themselves. They showed their appreciation for the show with a standing ovation. “A musician must be original, must create his own style and come up with new ideas. Of course I also play classical concerts. But nowadays when the world is tormented by a crisis there is demand for entertainment. People want to laugh, to relax. Therefore we bring a show to them. After all, Liszt and Paganini did the same at their time,” said the musician with Romany-Jewish roots who has music in his blood and musical ideas to spare. “A chef must be able to prepare not only sushi but also a schnitzel, goulash or a creamy sauce. In music it is the same.” Sándor Jávorkai is not only an excellent musician but he also has a doctor’s degree in musicology. And what is his relationship to Czech music? “I like the Czech music a lot – Dvořák, Smetana, Martinů, Suk… And also the Czech violin school is very important in the history of music, violinists like Otakar Ševčík and others.” Sándor’s brother, violoncellist Ádám Jávorkai, also performed at the concert as a soloist. At the end of the concert their father, who is also a member of the band, played with both of them. Like father, like son, their trio was fantastic. “The audience reacted excellently, I really enjoyed this evening. Český Krumlov is beautiful, it is a pity that I have to leave tonight because I have another concert in Vienna tomorrow,” he regretted. “Next time I will come for longer to be able to really enjoy the atmosphere of the town. I love not only Czech music but also Czech cuisine,” he added.