JOSEF VEJVODA´S FIRST CONCERT IN BRITAIN
On Saturday 17th April 2004, composer and conductor Josef Vejvoda (son of Jaromír Vejvoda, composer of the world-renowned hit Roll out the Barrel) made his first public concert appearance in Britain with great success. Josef appeared as guest conductor in a concert given by the Reading-based Trinity Concert Band (Director of Music: Michael Steele) before a capacity audience in the Bearwood Theatre, Sindlesham (Berkshire). The concert overall featured musical items from many nations with the band providing wonderful entertainment for the enthusiastic audience. Highlights among the pieces conducted by Michael Steele were a fantasy The New Village by Dutch composer Kees Vlak, a movement from Rachmaninov’s Second Pianio Concerto (soloist John Sayer) and a rousing rendition of the Florentiner March by Julius Fucík, the Czech ‘march king‘. Josef Vejvoda was invited to conduct the band in four items: his father’s spirited march Nová Praha (New Prague), the well-known Slavonická polka (by Vladimír Fuka), his own entrancing waltz composition Zarte Liebe (Gentle Love) and the famous ‘hit of the 20th century’ Roll out the Barrel from the pen of his father. Each of these pieces was preceded by a few words of introduction from Josef who, with his quiet friendly manner, quickly established a warm rapport with the audience. Further evidence of this genial relationship was provided in the interval when copies of Josef’s CDs went on sale and were eagerly snapped up by enthusiastic purchasers. Particularly in demand was the new instrumental album ¨Beer Barrel Polka / Play to Me Gipsy¨ featuring Josef Vejvoda’s Salon Orchestra.
At the end of the concert, and to tumultuous applause, Michael Steele presented Josef with a set of two batons in an inscribed case to commemorate this memorable occasion. Numerous messages of appreciation for Josef Vejvoda’s appearance were subsequently received by the band and, such is the interest in this music, it is planned to include further performances of these pieces in the Trinity Band’s forthcoming concerts. More information on Josef Vejvoda’s work can be found on his own multilingual website (www.j-vejvoda.cz), while those who wish to know more about Czech band music in general may like to explore the Kmoch Society website (www.kmochsoc.co.uk).
JOSEF VEJVODA'S 60th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS DURING 2005
A series of concerts at numerous locations in the Czech Republic are taking place from October to December 2006 to celebrate our patron's 60th birthday. Violinist Pavel Sporcl, the Vejvoda Jazz Trio and the North Bohemian Philharmonic are performing Josef's new "NOVELTY CONCERTO" and some of his other orchestral works. A profusely-illustrated commemorative book which chronicles the remarkable story of Josef Vejvoda and his family was published in September 2006.
Central European Band Festivals and Related Events in 2005
7-8 January: International Competition for Large Wind Bands, Prague
17 February: Concert of New Works for Wind Band, played by Prague Garrison Band, at Evropa Cinema, Prague 6 (17.00)
28-30 April: International Symposium on Czech Military Music, Prague. (Further info: bajarova@imus.cas.cz)
10-12 June: "Kmochuv Kolin" International Festival of Wind Bands, Kolin, Central Bohemia