Prague Spring 2024 | Frescoes of Piero della Francesca

Saturday 18 May 2024, 8.00
Smetana Hall, Municipal House, Prague, CZ

ORCHESTRA DI SANTA CECILIA & HRŮŠA

Bohuslav Martinů: The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca, H 352
George Gershwin: Concerto in F
Sergei Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances Op. 45

Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Roma
Jakub Hrůša (conductor)
Kirill Gerstein (piano)

“From the moment it became known that I would be coming to the Prague Spring in my role as principal guest conductor of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, I worked on the idea to present music that blends both Italian and Czech cultural traditions,” states Hrůša on the programme’s conception.

“We’ll be bringing The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca by Bohuslav Martinů: it was these artworks in Arezzo which inspired the Czech composer to write the piece. The programme also features the last work written by another great Slav émigré composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff – his swan song, the Symphonic Dances. Both Martinů and Rachmaninoff were active in the United States in key periods of their lives. This was also the home of George Gershwin, whose Concerto in F for piano will be performed by my concert partner of many years, Kirill Gerstein, who often appears in the USA.”

More information: https://festival.cz/en/koncerty/orchestra-di-santa-cecilia-hrusa/