PKF – PRAGUE PHILHARMONIA: FRENCH INSPIRATIONS

Live recording of a unique gala concert from the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House in Prague.

The gala evening from the heart of Europe is a reminder of Maurice Ravel’s concert in Prague. Ravel appeared in Prague only once as a conductor — exactly 90 years ago. In February 1932, at the New German Theater (today’s State Opera), he conducted his Piano Concerto in G major a mere month after its creation. This entertaining work, in which the composer puts emphasis on the virtuosity of the performer, is a true delight in interpretation of Michel Dalberto, one of the leading French pianists of his generation, accompanied by the PKF – Prague Philharmonia which – under the baton of Emmanuel Villaume, Chief Conductor and Music Director of the orchestra – shows a wonderful precision, a bright sound and cohesion in the strings and a true virtuosity in the winds and brass.

Another reminiscence about Ravel is his ecstatic Bolero, one of the most popular compositions of classical music in general, and also Ravel’s orchestration of Debussy’s poetic Sarabande, originally written for piano.
In addition to Ravel, another famous Frenchman, George Bizet, completes the concert programme. His Petite Suite for Orchestra, which consists of a set of his piano miniatures Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games), is a kind of French counterpart of Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood).

Production Company Czech Television
Genre Concert TV recording
TV Director Adam Rezek
Distribution TV Czech Television
Camera Jan Hubač
Video format 16:9 HD
Duration 60 minutes
Production year 2022