catalogue

The profoundly spiritual and touching music performed by outstanding artists resounds in the richly decorated Baroque Basilica of the Assumption of our Lady at Strahov Monastery, Prague.

Jaroslav Tůma ranks among the best Czech organ players being also a teacher and a composer. He has been awarded prizes at many improvisation and interpretation competitions. He has appeared in concert in most countries of Europe, the USA, Japan, Singapore and Mongolia. He also plays the harpsichord, clavichord and other historical keyboard instruments. He also has a deep interest in the restoration and recording of historical organs. He has recorded over 50 CDs for Supraphon and other international labels. Roman Janál studied violin and then singing at the Music Academy in Sofia. During his studies he appeared as a guest in the National Theatre. His engagements also include Opera Mozart and soloist of the State Opera in Prague. From the 1997/1998 season, he has been a soloist of the Prague National Theatre with which he toured Japan, France, Germany and other countries. He has successesfully performed at music festivals at home and abroad including The Days of Bohuslav Martinů in January 1998 in London with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Jiří Bělohlavek, Europalia Brussels, The Martinů Festival in Amsterdam under Christopher Hogwood, The Prague Autumn, The Festival Pontes.

The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady at Strahov Monastery was built as a Romanesque basilica in 1143, when the Strahov Monastery was established. The complex of the monastery, including the basilica, was damaged in wars several times, but it was always repaired and many times extended. Today the basilica with its spires dominates the view of the monastery. In the 18th century, it was reconstructed and richly decorated in the Baroque style, in which it has been preserved until today. The organ in the basilica was built in 1774. W.A. Mozart visited the monastery during one of his stays in Prague and improvised on the organ.