Concert Featuring the Works by Slovak Composers

In the first part of the concert, we will commemorate the anniversaries of several Slovak composers. Alexander Albrecht (140 years since his birth) was one of the authors who tenaciously cultivated the cultural environment for the emergence of representatives of Slovak musical modernism. He was an erudite man with a vast overview, musically influenced by events in Vienna and Budapest. Roman Berger (95 years since his birth, 5 years since his death) honored the messages of the musical avant-garde of the 20th century throughout his work, especially the work of representatives of the Polish school of composition. However, he was able to refine folk music and took care to consistently link his compositions with ethical principles. Andrej Očenáš (30 years since his death) was one of the authors who, as a composer, teacher, and radio worker, laid the foundations for professional music production in Slovakia during the 20th century. Očenáš's primary source of inspiration was the folk music of central Slovakia. Although he also wrote “large” works (oratorios, symphonies), he always tended towards lyricism and subtle sounds. His Concertino for Flute and String Orchestra is a sought-after opus; it is rewarding both for performers and listeners. This year we commemorate the centenary of the versatile musician and cultural organizer Ján Valach, an outstanding organist and experienced teacher. After the occupation of Czechoslovakia, he moved to Antwerp, where he was primarily involved in performing Johann Sebastian Bach's Passion works. His prelude B-A-C-H is also the result of his admiration for the composer's music.

The second part of the concert will feature world premieres of works by Ľuboš Bernáth and Víťazoslav Kubička, whose work is strongly linked to spiritual themes. Víťazoslav Kubička, a student of Ján Cikker, entered the Slovak music scene as an experienced radio worker and member of the Slovak Radio Experimental Studio team, and later became a long-time teacher of composition at the Church Conservatory in Bratislava. Ľuboš Bernáth is a graduate of Jevgenij Iršai's composition class and, in addition to his prolific compositional activity, he also teaches composition and theoretical subjects at the Conservatory in Bratislava and at the Academy of Performing Arts.