PROGRAMME

Bohuslav Martinů: *The Mountain of Three Lights* for male choir and organ, H. 349
Francis Poulenc: *Litanies to the Black Madonna*, FP 82
Henryk Górecki: *Totus Tuus*, Op. 60
John Tavener: *Svjatyj*
Petr Fiala: *Regina coeli laetare*
Leoš Janáček: *Our Father*, JW IV/29

PERFORMERS

Marta Chila Reichelová – soprano
Aleš Briscein – tenor
Jiří Brückler – baritone
Vítězslav Šlahař – narration
Petr Nouzovský – cello
Pavla Kopecká – harp
Martin Jakubíček – organ
Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno
Petr Fiala – choirmaster and conductor

A selection of major sacred choral works of the 20th century will be performed by the Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, which under the leadership of its long-time choirmaster Petr Fiala ranks among the finest choral ensembles in Europe.

For his cantata *The Mountain of Three Lights* (1954), Bohuslav Martinů chose not only verses from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but also a prose text from a short story by the writer Henry Vollam Morton and Moravian folk songs from the collection of František Bartoš. The work’s simple and sincere musical expression evokes the atmosphere of a modest village church service.

By contrast, Francis Poulenc’s *Litanies to the Black Madonna* for women’s choir and organ (1936) reaches an almost mystical atmosphere, inspired by the Gothic pilgrimage church in Rocamadour, France, as well as by medieval Gregorian chant. The world-renowned Polish minimalist Henryk Górecki composed *Totus Tuus* in 1987 on the occasion of Pope John Paul II’s third visit to his homeland. Its compelling homophonic, hymn-like writing alternates moments of urgent supplication with passages of quiet, fervent prayer.

In his composition *Svjatyj* (1995), British composer John Tavener makes use of a dialogue between a mixed choir and solo cello, setting a text from the Orthodox funeral liturgy. A contemporary and striking musical language also characterises *Regina coeli laetare* (2016) by Petr Fiala, written for soprano, eight-part choir, cello, and gong.

The programme concludes with Leoš Janáček’s cantata *Our Father* for tenor, mixed choir, harp, and organ. Janáček originally composed the work in 1901 as musical accompaniment to tableaux vivants inspired by religious paintings by the Polish artist Józef Męcina-Krzesz. This fascinating work continues to astonish audiences to this day with its passionate temperament.