From Janacek to Bartok: Jazz Inspirations and Variations – New York, NY

An afternoon of jazz improvisation and exploration inspired by Czech composer Leos Janacek and his younger Hungarian contemporary, Bela Bartok. Hear also original works by the talented Czech-born pianist and composer Antonin Fajt. Featuring a New York-based quartet with piano, bass, drums, and saxophone.

Both Janacek and Bartok were enamored of nature and embraced the folk songs of their native lands, and both broke new ground with their modernist approaches to composition. In a contemporary conversation, Fajt and his fellow musicians combine various elements of folklore traditions of Eastern Europe with jazz and classical composition, providing new perspectives and pleasures.

For more information about the event, visit dvoraknyc.org.

ANTONIN FAJT is a pianist and composer, whose work is in developing conversation with multiple traditions of music making, in particular free improvisation, classical composition, jazz, and traditional Eastern European music. Born in the Czech Republic, Antonin’s musical identity is rooted in Moravian and Slovak folklore, particularly in its interpretation in the compositions of Leos Janacek and Bela Bartok, but also in the improvisatory languages of Roma folk music and the minimalist rhythms of underground rock bands in the 1980s-90s Czech Republic. After migrating to the U.S. in 2007, Antonin began a deep dive into jazz through a friendship with the great bassist George Mraz. He studied classical composition with Joan Tower at Bard College where he received his BA in music ‘14. He holds a PhD from University of California Irvine, where he studied the ontology of hidden rhythmic structures for improvisers through an intercultural lens in the Integrative Composition, Improvisation, and Technology program ‘23. Themes in his work include the role of folkloric tradition in modern, globalized society; the imagined and real communion between environmental, folkloric, and improvisational musical frameworks; and translation of early 20th century classical music works into compositions for improvisers.

This event is organized by the Dvorak American Heritage Association with support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.