One Music concert in Židlochovice: Music unites nations

One Music concert in Židlochovice: Music unites nations

by | 5. Jul, 2023 | One Music

In the picturesque town of Židlochovice, in the Czech Republic, the first concert of the One Music project took place, which brought an unforgettable experience for all visitors. This unique musical event, which is the result of a collaboration between the renowned musical ensembles Solamente naturali from Slovakia and Barokksolistene from Norway, was in the spirit of musical connection and creativity.

The concert event, which was part of the Music is Only One project, included compositions from both Slovak and Nordic musical heritage. Musicians from both ensembles, led by leaders Miloš Valent and Bjart Eike, created a unique musical bridge between different cultures and traditions. Their interaction and joint music making brought a new dimension to the presented programme.

The performance was held in an atmosphere of deep respect for the history and cultural heritage of both nations. Pieces from the repertoires of Solamente naturali and Barokksolistene were interspersed with new compositions by talented composers Jon Balke from Norway, Michal Paľko and Daniel Matej from Slovakia.

The unique atmosphere of the concert was not limited to the musical expression. During the evening, visitors could taste excellent Moravian wines, which enhanced the overall experience of the evening. The locals were enthusiastic and chatted enthusiastically with the artists even after the concert. The musical symphony of old and new tones, traditions and innovations, resounded in the Czech Republic and brought hope for future similar musical projects.

How melodies flew at the school in Bratislava

How melodies flew at the school in Bratislava

by | 15. May, 2023 | One Music

The Secondary Vocational School of Hairdressing and Make-up Artistry, Svätoplukova 2, in Bratislava welcomed members of Solamente naturali in its premises as part of the One music concerts for secondary vocational schools.

The concert of classical music was held at the school for the first time. The concert, entitled “Melodies Fly”, brought old music from three hundred years ago, as well as melodies by contemporary composer Daniel Matej.

Miloš Valent (violin) with his words opened up an unknown world of early music to the students and their teachers. Other members of the ensemble Jan Rokyta (cimbalom, whistles), Jan Kružliak (violin, zlobcoky, electric violin), Peter Vrbinčík (viola, zlobcoky) and Jan Prevozník (violone) presented old musical instruments that the audience had never heard before. This extraordinary concert grabbed the hearts of the attendees so much that we will certainly be happy to do it again.

 

Workshop of old music for pupils in Lozorno

by | 8. May, 2023 | One Music

On the afternoon of 3 May 2023, after a great day of rehearsals at the Lozorno Cultural Centre, we met with pupils and parents from the local Private Primary School of the Arts and other members of the general and professional public for a workshop on early music of the 18th century.

Members of Barokksolistene together with Solamente naturali played examples of early music from the archives of Slovak and Norwegian cities, as well as elements of the emerging One music programme. Miloš Valent, artistic director of Solamente naturali, took the floor and managed to captivate the audience with his interesting commentary interspersed with fresh humour. A rare element of the workshop was the presence of two composers of the One music programme – Jon Balke and Michal Paľko, who were able to listen to the compositions.

Jon Balke among conservatoires

Jon Balke among conservatoires

by | 8. May, 2023 | One Music

We took advantage of the rare presence of the world-famous Norwegian jazz musician, pianist and composer Jon Balke on 2 May 2023 at a workshop at the Church Conservatory, Beňadická 2, in Bratislava. He spent more than two hours among the students and their teachers, talking about music and the process of its creation. For the conservatory, it was another in a series of meetings with artistic personalities that they organise as part of their educational programme.

The end of Jon Balke’s meeting at the Conservatory was an interesting discussion about his work with a representative of Musical Life. More on Facebook.

Jon Balke has held various positions on boards and committees including Notam, Norwegian Art Council, Norwegian Jazz Federation etc. As a teacher he has worked at academies in Norway, Denmark, Italy and Germany. He is an associate professor of music production at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Jon Balke is also the founder and manager of the Madstun Art Centre in Norway.

 

May rehearsals in the church and in the cultural centre

May rehearsals in the church and in the cultural centre

by | 7. May, 2023 | One Music

In the first week of May 2023, the small ECAV church on Panenska Street in Bratislava hosted both ensembles to rehearse undisturbed the upcoming musical programme One music. This time the rehearsals took place under the supervision of the most competent – composers Jon Balke from Norway and Michal Paľko from Slovakia, authors of two compositions from the One music programme.

Jon Balke’s composition for One music was based on early music from Slovakia.
“When I approached Jon asking if he would compose a piece with Norwegian motifs for us, he declined with words, that I should send him some old Slovak music in which he sings, so that I could sing at the concert and to sing at the concert. So we will sing at the concert,” says Miloš Valent, artistic director, with a smile Solamente naturali.

On the third day, the ensembles changed the venue and from the morning they rehearsed in the Centre of Culture in Lozorno also under Michal Paľko, who composed a piece with Jewish motifs for One music. The rehearsals were held in the spirit of a joint search for the right expression, or the place of arrival of the individual instruments, which are represented in the One music programme quite a lot – violin, electric violin, viola, harpsichord, keyboard, cimbalom, double bass, cello, ukulele, flutes, drums and singing. Each rehearsal represented a new creative process in which each of the members of both ensembles. Its unique atmosphere, enhanced by the space of the Malý kostol, the rehearsal also captivated the young documentary filmmakers, who captured it in a forthcoming documentary.