SMETANA Libuše -
overture
SUK Fantasy in G
for Violin and Orchestra
MAHLER Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
DVORÁK
Symphony No. 9, 'From the New World'
Jiří Bělohlávek conductor
Dagmar Pecková mezzo-soprano
Ivan Ženatý violin

Tonight's profusely romantic programme celebrates the vibrancy of Czech music, the strength of which influenced young Mahler and soared to sublime creative heights in Dvořák's 'New World' Symphony. Mahler, who grew up in a town today located within the Czech Republic, was entranced by the piquant flavour of local folk music as a lad. The Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, performed here by the wonderful Czech mezzo-soprano, Dagmar Pecková, draw deep from the composer's memory banks of folksong, natural wonders and rural life.

'Peckova's intensely focused mezzo made time stand still.'
The Times