Czech Philharmonic ⬩ Velvet Revolution Concert

Among Czech Philharmonic audience members, violinist Josef Špaček is especially popular. In a recent survey of regular subscribers who were asked which artist they would most like to hear in a solo recital, the former Czech Philharmonic Concertmaster came up top.

Although it has been four years since he left, Josef Špaček is still closely associated with the Czech Philharmonic thanks to many joint projects and regular collaborations. Špaček’s solo career is now his main professional focus, and he enchants audiences both at home at the Rudolfinum and abroad. Although he appears with top European and American orchestras and plays chamber music regularly in the world’s most prestigious concert halls, he has not forgotten his roots. He can be heard at both New York’s Carnegie Hall but also small villages across the Czech Republic. 

Antoine Tamestit has fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a famous virtuoso through his sheer talent. His instrument of choice, the viola, is a bit larger than Špaček’s. “My mission is for the public to fall in love with the viola just as much as I have”, says the Paris native who appears on international stages as soloist, in recitals, and in chamber music playing repertoire ranging from the Baroque era to the present day.

Tamestit has won international acclaim for his peerless technique and for the rich beauty of his playing. For over 15 years, Tamestit has performed on an instrument that Antonio Stradivari made in 1672 as his very first viola. “Now, we’ve experienced a lot together, but we’re still getting to know each other. It wasn’t easy at first. I think we have two different personalities. But now we’re a seasoned pair. We form a single whole, but we both help each other other express ourselves”, revealed Tamestit in an interview for Prague Spring International Music Festival. He has already appeared with the Czech Philharmonic several times, even performing Martinů’s Rhapsody-Concerto, and not only in Prague, but also on tour of central Europe with Jiří Bělohlávek. The composition, which Tamestit calls “beautiful, moving, and exciting”, has become a popular piece in his concerto repertoire.

During the 2024/2025 season, Petr Popelka, who in recent years has become one of the most inspirational conductors of the younger generation, enters his first year as Chief Conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. This prestigious position does not prevent him from performing other conducting duties, so he will continue as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Popelka got his start as a double bass player. After studies, he was engaged for nearly ten years as assistant principal double bassist of the Staatskapelle Dresden, but he admits that his interest in conducting had already been ignited as a student thanks to his composing activities and private conducting lessons. In 2016, Popelka decided to devote himself intensively to conducting. He soon became Alan Gilbert’s assistant at the NDR Elbphilharmonie, and a year later, he took over as Chief Conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. Other ensembles have in recent years taken notice leading to guest conducting engagements with orchestras such as the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Staatskapelle Berlin, the Bamberg Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestras.

The concert is held in cooperation with the Bohuslav Martinů Days Festival and with the financial support of the Bohuslav Martinů Foundation.