BEATLES GO BAROQUE

Was founded in 1995 on the initiative of the conductor Peter Vrábel. A not insignificant contribution of the orchestra is promotion and popularisation of contemporary music and works of the twentieth century in interesting juxtapositions with earlier music. In the last two seasons the orchestra presents exceptional series of concerts where it performs premieres commissioned specially for the orchestra. The very best Czech composers are involved in this project – among others Svatopluk Havelka, Otmar Mácha, Ivan Kurz, Otomar Kvěch, Juraj Filas, Sylvie Bodorová, Václav Riedlbauch - as well as selected young authors who belong in their generation to the most talented.

The orchestra has realized many interesting and prestigious projects such as the world premiere of Martinů´s Czech Rhapsody, Czech premiere of the original French version of Martinů's opera Alexandre bis (Two Times Alexander), a reprise of a jubilee concert for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Basel Chamber Orchestra, the Czech premiere of Igor Stravinsky's burlesque Renard in the Russian original and others. It is respected performer of the work of Bohuslav Martinů and has on its repertoire almost complete work by this composer for chamber orchestra. During the last two years concerts of the orchestra has been regularly recorded by the Czech Radio and presented in the main evening broadcasting time.

To the concert activities of the orchestra belong performances on various festivals such as International Music Festival Young Prague, Bohuslav Martinů Festival, among other interesting projects are Prague Music Summer of Visually Disabled or an important benefit concert in the Cathedral of Aachen (Germany).

The Berg Chamber Orchestra also devotes itself to promotion of music among the youngest generations: for two years it has been presenting a series of concerts for school children with the Prokofiev's musical fairy tale “Peter and the Wolf” or Breiner´s jazz-baroque suite Beatles Go Barock.

Peter Vrábel was born in 1969, in Zilina (Slovakia) where he started his musical studies. He studied conducting at the Conservatory in Bratislava with Júilus Karaba and had private lessons with Ladislav Slovák. He continued at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague under the guidance of conductors Tomáš Koutník, Radomil Eliška and Oliver Dohnányi, then prepared his graduation recital under František Vajnar. Already during his studies, he started his concert career and collaborated with several symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and choirs. He participated in courses led by Thüring Bräm (Switzerland) and in master classes of Robert Benzi in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) held in cooperation with the Bienne Symphony Orchestra where he conducted the final concert. At the end of his studies, he obtained Gideon Klein Prize. Peter Vrábel is co-founder and conductor of the Berg Chamber Orchestra to which he created an image of respected performer of the contemporary and twentieth-century music. He performed with the orchestra on many concerts and festivals, recorded premiere CD for specialized recording company Matouš and has done many recordings for the Czech Radio. During his short career, he managed an exceptionally wide repertoire of works involving all styles from baroque to contemporary music.

Concert Programme:
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Symphony for Strings No. 13 in C minor 8´

Beatles Go Baroque (music composed and arranged by Peter Breiner): Beatles Concerto Grosso No. 1
(In the Style of Handel) 14’

1. She Loves You – A tempo giusto
2. Lady Madonna – Allegro
3. Fool on the Hill – Adagio
4. Honey Pie – Allegro
5. Penny Lane – Allegro

Beatles Concerto Grosso No. 4 10‘
1. Here Comes the Sun
2. Michelle
3. Goodnight
4. Carry that Weight

-Break-

Beatles Concerto Grosso No. 3 (In the Style of J. S. Bach) 20‘
1. The Long and Winding Road – Overture
2. Eight Days a Week – Rondeau
3. She’s Leaving Home – Sarabande
4. We Can Work It Out – Bourree
5. Hey Jude – Polonaise
6. Yellow Submarine - Badinerie

Beatles Concerto Grosso No. 2 (In the Style of Vivaldi) 15‘
1. A Hard Day’s Night
2. Girl
3. And I Love Her
4. Paperback Writer
5. Help

19 July 2006, Wednesday  21.00 Salamis Antique Theatre