Kingwood Chorale and Chamber Orchestra
“Czech it Out!” Great Music from Dvorak and his Countrymen
First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood
5520 Kingwood Drive
Humble, TX 77345
(281) 360-5555
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Held at the First Presbyterian Church of Kingwood, the concert will feature choral and instrumental music from Antonin Dvorák as well as music from Smetana, Janácek, Fibich, and Suk. The chorale and orchestra will pay homage to the history of America’s music, which intersects with the Czech Republic.
“This is beautiful, rich, and exciting music,” said Dr. Todd Miller, artistic director and conductor. “Czech music really came alive in the Romantic Period of the late 19th Century and the 90-minute concert will be filled with music from that time.”
The signature piece will be Dvorák’s “Te Deum” (sung in Latin), which the composer wrote in the 1890’s while living in New York City. Though most of the concert is in English, the chorale will take its first stab at singing in Czech with two short works.
“Many people don’t know that Dvorák lived in America for several years after he became famous and is partially responsible for encouraging American composers to utilize African-American spirituals, hymns, and other indigenous folk music in developing a serious national sound,” Miller said. “We owe Dvorák a debt of gratitude for helping America embrace its own music.”
A representative from both the Czech consulate and the Czech Center Museum of Houston will attend the concert and will offer words of welcome. Guest soloists are soprano Nancy Curtis and bari-tenor Jon Janácek.
Tickets to “Czech it out! Great Music from Dvorák and his Countrymen” are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door or can be reserved by calling 281-312-1778. For more information, visit http://www.kingwoodmusicalarts.org
Czech Center Museum Houston 