Photo credit: Pianist Rudolf Firkušný by Steve J. Sherman.
Gala concert and reception honoring the world-renowned Czech-born pianist Rudolf Firkušný (1912-1994).
The internationally acclaimed pianist Yefim Bronfman, a former student of Firkusny at The Juilliard School, will perform at this event, which will also include a brief discussion with esteemed professors Michael Beckerman, Dean of the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, and Leon Botstein, President of Bard College and Conductor and Music Director of the American Symphony Orchestra.
Acclaimed as one of the premier keyboard artists of his time, Rudolf Firkusny came from a richly varied background of Czech and Central European musical traditions, including studies with Leos Janacek and Artur Schnabel. Hailed for his masterful performances of the classical, romantic, and early 20th century repertoires, he was also considered the world’s foremost exponent of Czech music and championed the works of Smetana, Dvorak, Janacek and Martinu throughout his illustrious career, which spanned seventy-four years, from his first concert at the age of eight until his last, six months before his death.
Firkusny left Czechoslovakia after the Nazi occupation of that country in 1939, settling first in Paris, and then eventually coming to the United States. He returned to Czechoslovakia in 1946 to play three concerts at the inaugural Prague Spring Festival, hoping to stay. After the Communist putsch in 1948, he gave up plans to return to his homeland and became an American citizen. Over the next four decades of his distinguished career, Rudolf Firkusny appeared with the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin, Czech, New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics; Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Pittsburgh and Vienna Symphony Orchestras; Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras; Royal Concertgebouw; Orchestre de Paris; and all the major London orchestras.
PROGRAM
Johannes Brahms, Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 5 (28’)
Allegro maestoso
Andante espressivo – Andante molto
Scherzo. Allegro energico avec trio
Intermezzo. Andante molto
Finale. Allegro moderato ma rubato
Sergei Prokofiev, Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 (18’)
Allegro inquieto
Andante caloroso
Precipitato
The evening marks the inaugural performance of the Steinway piano recently acquired by the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.
For more information about the event, visit dvoraknyc.org.
Tickets for this special occasion are $125 (plus the processing fee), available online through Eventbrite.
A portion of ticket sales will benefit the programs of the Dvořák American Heritage Association, which celebrates its 20th year of public concerts and lectures in 2026.
This event is organized by the Dvořák American Heritage Association with support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.