Collaborations and World Premieres

Our 2025 festival comprises five distinct concerts, four of which feature our esteemed collaborators. We are thrilled to welcome:

• François Dumont (France): An internationally acclaimed pianist whose career soared after prize-winning successes at competitions including the 16th International Chopin Competition. A seasoned soloist, Dumont also deeply values chamber music collaboration.

• Kelley O’Connor (USA): A Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano, recognized as one of the most compelling vocal artists of her generation. Having recently joined us for our November 2024 West Coast USA concert, we immediately knew she had to be a part of our inaugural festival.

• Anna Paulová (Czech Republic): A rising star in the clarinet world, laureate of numerous Czech and international clarinet competitions, and a recent winner of the Jiří Bělohlávek Prize. Beyond her solo career, Anna is a passionate chamber musician.

A special highlight of the festival will be the performance of new compositions either arranged or written specifically for the Pražák Quartet:

• Experience the Czech premiere of Kongsgaard Variations by the important Swedish composer Anders Hillborg (1954).

• Hear the world premiere of a new String Quartet written for us by Tomáš Prechal, a highly talented young composer/cellist studying in Paris.

• Audiences will have the opportunity to meet both of these composers.

• The Festival will feature a unique presentation of Antonín Dvořák's beloved Cypresses, specially arranged for Kelley O'Connor and the Pražák Quartet by Jiří Gemrot.