On the occasion of the Year of Czech Music 2024 and to pay the tribute to composer JURAJ FILAS

Consul General of the Czech Republic

Mr. Arnošt KAREŠ and Mrs. Jitka KAREŠOVÁ

We have the pleasure to invite you to the concert “CZECH COMPOSITIONS”, played by the 3 world-renowned soloists:

JOE ALESSI, trombone

IVAN ŽENATÝ, violin

OTTO SAUTER, piccolo trumpet

in collaboration with Martha LOCKER, piano

followed by meeting the artists and serving of wine

The event is organized by the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York and the Harmony Foundation.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Joe Alessi is an active soloist, recitalist, and chamber music performer. He was appointed Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic in the spring of 1985. He began musical studies in his native California with his father, Joseph Alessi, Sr.

Mr. Alessi’s discography includes many releases on the Summit record label, including the Trombonastics, and a disc with New York Philharmonic Principal Trumpet Philip Smith entitled Fandango; he also recorded New York Legends on the Cala label. His live recording of the Rouse Concerto with the New York Philharmonic can be heard on Volume II of the recent release, An American Celebration, on New York Philharmonic Special Editions, the Orchestra’s own recording label. His recording of George Crumb’s Starchild on the Bridge record label, featuring Mr. Alessi as soloist, won a Grammy Award for 1999–2000.

Prof. Ivan Ženatý, who plays a rare Guiseppe Guarneri del Gesu violin made in 1740, reaches a broad public without abandoning the world of classical music for a moment. Besides the technical perfection he is also appreciated for his taste, style and a captivatingly beautiful tone. The great Czech musical tradition was passed on to Ivan Ženatý through his mentor Josef Suk, a great Czech violinist. He has been influenced the most by his personal encounters with Nathan Milstein, Ruggiero Ricci. Igor Bezrodny and André Gertler.

Ivan Ženatý is a past prize-winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and first prize winner at the Prague Spring Competition. He has played with many of the great orchestras of the world, and has made over 40 recordings, ranging from Telemann to 20th century Czech composers. Prof. Ivan Ženatý is also passing his talent to the others. He has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music, at the Royal Academy of Music Copenhagen, Hochschule fur Music in Dresden and Meadowmount School of Music.

Prof. Otto Sauter is well-known as one of the world‘s leading trumpet soloists. As a specialist on the piccolo trumpet, the German musician has already appeared in all major concert halls.

Otto Sauter‘s musical talent was encouraged at an early age: born on the shores of Lake Constance, he was given his first trumpet lessons when he was only 4 years old. At the age of 16 he continued his musical training with Claude Rippas at the Winterthur Conservatoire, where he received his teaching and orchestral diploma in 1984 and his soloist diploma one year later. After graduating, Otto Sauter pursued further studies with Bo Nilsson in Sweden and Pierre Thibaud in Paris.

In addition to his work as a soloist, Otto Sauter regularly causes a sensation with his ensemble „Ten of the Best“, which brings ten of the world‘s best trumpeters together under one roof. They regularly go on concert tours in Japan, the USA and Europe.

Pianist Martha Locker leads a vibrant musical life as a soloist, collaborative artist and teacher. Born in Chicago, Martha began her piano studies at age 4. At the age of 9 she won the Pittsburgh Symphony Concerto competition and had the opportunity to solo with the orchestra. Martha has also appeared as soloist with the Knoxville Symphony, the Orchestra Nova, the Westmoreland Symphony, the New Juilliard Ensemble, the New York University Orchestra and the Danbury Music Center Orchestra.

Martha has lived in New York since 1995 and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Peter Serkin, Jacob Lateiner, and Jerome Lowenthal. She completed an Advanced Certificate in Music Education at New York University where she studied piano with Miyoko Lotto. She is an adjunct faculty member at the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, a collaborative pianist at Juilliard and NYU.