In collaboration with the Salon de Virtuosi, the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York is delighted to present a special concert, Czech Serenade, at the Bohemian National Hall, 321 E 73rd Street.

Savor an evening of Czech culture, featuring the talented Czech clarinetist Anna Paulová, the brilliant pianist David Kalhous and the exciting Merz Trio from the United States.

The concert is followed by meet-the-artist reception.

Performers

Anna Paulová

Anna Paulová has been awarded 2nd prize at the Prague Spring International Music Competition 2015 and 1st prize at the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation Interpretation Competition 2016. She performed as a soloist with the Czech Philharmonic under the baton of Jiří Bělohlávek in June 2014. She is a winner of a special award- Golden Medal (High Distinction) of the Vienna International Music Competition 2019. At this year’s 68th International Music Competition ARD in Munich 2019 she advanced in the clarinet category to the semifinals, among the 6 best candidates from around the world.

David Kalhous

Prof. David Kalhous has gained recognition in Europe and the United States for his elegant musicianship, brilliant pianism, probing intelligence, and engaging programming. With wide-ranging repertoire spanning three centuries, he is equally at home with music of Scarlatti and Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, and Ligeti and Feldman. Recently, David Kalhous recorded 12 piano sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti as part of the Czech Radio’s Complete Scarlatti Sonatas project, as well as a solo CD for the Arco Diva label with sonatas by Beethoven, Janáček, and Liszt. He is currently Associate Professor of Piano at Florida State University College of Music.

Merz Trio

Hailed as “artists in the deepest sense of the word” (CutCommon), Merz Trio, winners of the Naumburg, Concert Artists Guild, Fischoff, and Chesapeake Competitions, have been lauded for their “stunning virtuosity… fresh and surprising interpretations” (Reading Eagle), and “perfection of intonation and ensemble” (Hudson Review). Merz Trio are passionately committed to reshaping the narrative of classical music through vibrantly dynamic programming and wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaboration. Their narrative programming style juxtaposes classical standards, new music, and their own arrangements of familiar and forgotten works, fluidly interwoven and guided with speaking from the Trio’s members. Their interdisciplinary collaborations include ongoing projects with dancer Caroline Copeland, Sandglass Puppet Theater, chef David Bouley, and videographer Chris Kitchen.