Velvet Revolution Concert

Freedom cannot be taken for granted. And perhaps it is safeguarded not only by grand gestures, but also by something far more ordinary. Honesty. Honesty with others and with ourselves. The courage to speak the truth, to listen, to admit when we are wrong, and not to turn a blind eye to what is happening around us.

To mark 17 November, the Czech Philharmonic and Police Symphony Orchestra will come together through music that reminds us that democracy is sustained by the choices we make every day. The tradition of the Concert for Freedom and Democracy continues this year with an orchestra of dedicated enthusiasts who combine the joy of music with the energy and desire to change the world around them. This time, the music will tell a story of home, tradition, freedom and responsibility, and of how young people today relate to the values that the Velvet Revolution brought with it. There will be celebratory music and words that invite reflection. Iconic Czech music and a breath of fresh air from the longed-for world beyond our borders.

Programme

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, arr. Cody Fry
Eleanor Rigby (5'30)

Vlasta Redl, arr. Karel Chudý
Ještě mi chvilku zpívej (Sing to Me a Little Longer) (4'30)

Luboš Fišer, arr. Karel Chudý
Granny, suite from the film (6'30)

Ondřej Soukup, arr. Karel Chudý
Kolya, suite from the film (8')

Zdeněk Barták, arr. Jiří Kabát
The Land Gone Wild (4')

Jiří Pavlica, arr. Karel Chudý
Prayer for Water (4')

Richard Addinsell
Warsaw Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (9')

Jan Kučera, arr. Karel Chudý
The Dove of the Vltava (5'30)

Antonín Dvořák
Slavonic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46 (5')

Paul Simon, arr. Cody Fry
The Sound of Silence (6'30)

Cody Fry
You are Gonna Be Okay (3'30)

Coldplay, arr. Cody Fry, Karel Chudý
Fix You (5')

Jaroslav Uhlíř, arr. Jiří Kabát
Chválím tě, země má (I Praise You, My Earth) (4')

Jindřich Brabec, arr. Karel Chudý
Prayer for Marta (4')

Performers

Police Symphony Orchestra
members of the Czech Philharmonic
Vox Aura

Matouš Zukal piano
Jáchym Svoboda conductor
Viktor Le Minh conductor
Iveta Frýdová choirmaster
Natálie Štorková choirmaster
Lukáš Hrubeš choirmaster
Andrea Holá vocals
Karolína Soukupová vocals
Josef Fečo vocals
Zuzana Bisová vocals