Advent Concert IV • Czech Philharmonic Low Brass Ensemble

The Czech Philharmonic’s Advent begins with low strings and ends with low brass. This ensemble—made up of all members of the orchestra’s trombone and tuba sections —has consistently received warm acclaim. Spanning music from the Renaissance to the 20th-century, the programme honours not only the rich sound of brass but also pays tribute to Břetislav Kotrba, a long-time member of the Czech Philharmonic and a master of musical arrangements.

Programme

Jacob Handl-Gallus* 
Canite tuba in Sion, advent antiphon 

Claudio Monteverdi* 
Adoramus te, Christe  

Advent and Christmas in the Krkonoše Foothills folk songs*  

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber*  
Serenada à cinque, A 877a “Der Nachtwächter” 

Jakub Jan Ryba* 
Dear Children, pastorale 
Let the Violins Play, pastorale  

Ivan Zelenka 
Pseudo-Baroque Suite (world premiere) 

Giulio Caccini* 
Ave Maria 

Georges Bizet*  
Agnus Dei 

Josef Vejvoda 
Looking Back  

That Time at Christmas melodies of the Karel Vlach Orchestra*  

* arr. by Břetislav Kotrba

Performers

Czech Philharmonic Low Brass Ensemble 
Robert Kozánek trombone 
Lukáš Moťka trombone 
Jan Perný trombone 
Lukáš Besuch trombone 
Karel Kučera bass trombone 
Karel Malimánek tuba