SMETANA TRIO

Jiri Vodicka - Violin
Jan Palenicek - Cello
Jitka Cechova – Piano

“..an interpretation which surpassed that of the Beaux Arts Trio and the Suk Trio!” Philippe Simon, Diapason

The current Smetana Trio is today one of the foremost Czech ensembles and with cellist Jan Palenicek it continues the tradition of the renowned piano trio of the same name founded in the 1930s by pianist Josef Palenicek, whose son is recognised as one of the finest cellists on the current Czech music scene. A recording contract with Supraphon has produced a range of CDs of the major piano trio works, with a host of international awards including the Diapason d’Or in 2006, BBC Music Magazine award in 2007 and CD of the month in the same magazine in 2005 (Smetana, Suk, Novak), 2006 (Dvorak) and 2008 (Tchaikovsky, Dvorak). Several recordings have also been made for radio and television. Their most recent recording, in 2010 was a new CD for Supraphon of trio works by Mendelssohn op 49 and Schubert op 100.

The trio perform throughout the Czech Republic with regular tours to countries including Japan, Britain, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. They also collaborate frequently with international orchestras; 2010 ended with a very successful tour of France with the Orchestre Nationale des Pays de la Loire, conducted by John Axelyod performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto. UK concerts in 2011 included a concert for Abbotsholme Music Society, followed by an appearance in the Leamington Festival in May, a visit to Goldsmiths Hall with the City Music Society and a tour of seven UK music clubs in October. Forthcoming tours in 2012 include East Anglia and the south west of England.

Jan Palenicek studied with two of the greatest Czech cellists of their generation, Sasa Vectomov and Milos Sadlo. He studied chamber music with Joseph Vlach, leader of the Vlach Quartet and Paul Tortellier. Jan has given concerto and chamber performances throughout Europe as well as in Japan, USA and South Africa and he has recorded over 24 CDs. He has taught at the Conservatoire and at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Jiri Vodicka is one of the most distinguished young Czech violinists. He studied at the Institute of Arts at Ostrava University with Zdenek Gola. Winner of many international competitions, Jiri is a permanent soloist of the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra and performs regularly with all the major Czech orchestras; also at festivals such as the Prague Spring, Young Prague, Grand Festival of China, Hohenloher Kultursommer, Choriner Musiksommer and at Kammermusikfest Lockenhaus. Jiri Vodicka plays a violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, made in Turin, 1779, kindly loaned by Florian Leonhard Fine Violins, London.

Jitka Cechova is a major international prizewinner and has a solo career, enjoying regular appearances with orchestras throughout Europe. Festival engagements include the Prague Spring, Graz, Paris, Frankfurt and Edinburgh. For Jitka Cechova, chamber music is one of the essential elements of her musical identity. Jitka has also made a number of recordings including the complete piano works of Smetana as a series of 7 CDs for Supraphon...an interpretation which surpassed that of the Beaux Arts Trio and the Suk Trio!” Philippe Simon, Diapason

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Prices for tickets:
Single concert - £15.00

Tickets for concerts are available in advance from:

Mill Hill Music Club Box Office
Mr Michael Rawling
2a Millway
Mill Hill
London NW7 3RE
Telephone 020 8959 3866