Skampa Quartet - Reviews

Škampa Quartet brings music to Chateau Slavkov

26 June 2009

When the last tones of the Piano Quintet (No. 2) in A-major by Antonín Dvořák died away, ecstatic applause was heard in the Historic Hall, accompanied by many a loud “Bravo!” For several minutes the full hall applauded the protagonists of the second of the two Austerlitz concerts, which were part of the Concentus Moraviae Festival 14th year.

The Skampa Quartet lived up to its worldwide reputation, and together with the internationally acclaimed and recognised piano player Jarmila Pěchočová, they offered the audience a literally overwhelming artistic experience. Apart from Antonín Dvořák´s Quintet mentioned above they also performed the Piano Quintet No. 1 by Graźyna Bacewicz, and the April Prelude for piano by Vítězslava Kaprálová.

The evening program (25 June 2009) stressed this year’s focus on the topic Ladies First.

In order to provide comprehensive information we should add that since its founding in 1988 the Skampa Quartet has performed regularly not only in Europe, but also in both North and South Americas, Australia and Japan, at various concerts and festivals where they have won a number of prestigious prizes. They also take part regularly in BBC broadcasts, and have made many highly praised CD recordings, eight to date just within the Czech Republic.

Jaroslava Pěchočová is the winner of several national and laureate of some international competitions. She has performed, among others, with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Libor Pešek) as well as with other Czech orchestras, and abroad with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, in Zurich’s Tonhalle, and with an orchestra in Kyoto. She is a frequently requested pianist who cooperates with leading musicians and musical bodies of the Czech music scene.

The concert confirmed that, thanks to the Concentus Moraviae Festival in Austerlitz, top musicians meet, thus promoting and maintaining the high level of cultural experience offered. Without any doubt the beautiful venue in the chateau also contributes to the experience. This concert has definitely become the highlight of this year’s cultural season in the Austerlitz chateau.

Classical Music fans will be pleased to hear that the 15th year of the Festival in 2010 will hold its final concert in Austerlitz! Something to look forward to.

Ing. Aleš Šilhánek