Classical Music | "One of the Finest European Pianists" Performs Janacek, Smetana, and More

Renowned pianist Jan Bartos performs works by highly distinguished Czech composers.

Program
Leos Janacek (1954-1928) Piano Sonata 1.X.1905
Miloslav Kabelac (1908-1979) Eight preludes, Op. 30
Leos Janacek (1954-1928) In the Mists
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) Dreams

About the Performer
The international press has described Czech pianist Jan Bartos as "one of the finest European pianists" and "an emotional and sophisticated interpreter". He has performed with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Prague Philharmonia and has appeared at Carnegie Hall and venues across Europe.

About the Program
Leos Janacek's 1.X.1905 was developed during the autumn of 1905, at the height of the unrest between the Czech-speaking and German-speaking communities of Brno, home of Janacek. In response to the violent death of a Czech worker, Janacek wrote a three-part piano composition, originally entitled "From the Street, October 1, 1905". Shortly, after its premiere in 1906, Janacek destroyed the final movement and then, following a private performance in Prague, the other two movements as well. It was not until the celebrations for his 70th birthday that the pianist of the premiere found the courage to play the piece to the composer once again from her personal copy. Janacek then decided to publish the work after all.

Miloslav Kabelac belongs to the most distinguished Czech composers of the 20th century whose work is sometimes compared with Antonin Dvorak's and Bohuslav Martinu's. He created a distinctive style for which the auspicious melody and harmony, the ingenious polyphony and the consistent architecture of both small and large compositions are typical.

In the Mists is the last of Janacek's more substantial solo piano works. It was composed in 1912, some years after Janacek had suffered the death of his daughter Olga and while his operas were still being rejected by the Prague opera houses. In the Mists bears faint traces of contact with Debussy's piano style. The first version of In the mists was completed in April 1912 and was probably revised in early 1913. The premiere and publication of the first edition was in late 1913. Ten years later, a new edition was commissioned in honor of Janacek's seventieth birthday.

For his six characteristic pieces "Reves" (Dreams), composed in 1875, Smetana returned to his favorite instrument, the piano. It was the first time he had written for the instrument in almost ten years. "Reves" were written for and dedicated to Smetana's former pupils. The dedication was a means of thanking them for the benefit concert they had organized in the spring of 1875 for their teacher, who had recently lost his hearing.