Tribute to the Czech Women Composers

Vítězslava Kaprálová and Geraldine Mucha (wife of Jiří Mucha) are two of the seven women composers whose work is being celebrated in a unique tribute, brought to London fresh from its premiere at the International Music Festival Český Krumlov by the talented young violinist Elizabeth Jiřičková and pianist Barbora Brabcová.

With a meticulously researched programme of rediscovery, this Year of Czech Music concert puts the remarkable women composers of Czech music centre stage and showcases their roles as sought-after virtuosos, renowned conductors, and original composers, challenging the traditional view of women as mere muses. Enriching the landscape of Czech classical music, which is more famous for works by Smetana, Dvořák, and Janáček, while honouring the creative genius of women composers, the concert will also present the works of Jana Obrovská, Anna Houdková-Kozánková, Matylda Chrudimská, Zdenka Kendíková, and Sláva Vorlová.

Artists

Elizabeth Jiřičková – violin

Barbora Brabcová – piano

Programme

Vítězslava Kaprálová: Legend Op. 3/1

Vítězslava Kaprálová: Burlesque Op. 3/2

Vítězslava Kaprálová: Elegy

Zdenka Kendíková: Dvě mazurky (Two Mazurkas)

Jana Obrovská: Autumn Preludes – 1. Allegro moderato, 2. Andante, 3. Allegro Energico, 4. Moderato

Anna Houdková-Kozánková: Lístek do Památníku (Postcard for my Scrapbook)

Geraldine Mucha: Sonata in G minor – 1. Moderato 2. Allegro 3. Andante

Sláva Vorlová: Ukolébavka a Tanec Op. 16 (Lullaby and Dance Op. 16)

Matylda Chrudimská: Touha Op. 29 (Desire Op. 29)

Elizabeth Jiřičková

The Czech solo violinist and prizewinner of the New European Talents – International Violin Competition „Homage to Váša Příhoda“ graduated with honours from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied with Giovanni Guzzo, Michael Foyle and Levon Chilingirian.

She is also a keen orchestral player, co-leading Sinfonia Cymru, and accompanying Bryn Terfel, and she has participated in the Side by Side project, in which she performed with the Czech Philharmonic.