Piano Soirée and Jan Jiraský

Janáček underwent a thorough training in Brno, Prague, Leipzig and Vienna, which led him to the conviction that he had to stand on his own feet. From 1889 onwards, his creative philosophy included the analysis of so-called speech cues, which he not only recorded using musical notation, but also made use of Hipp's chronoscope and Edison's phonograph, historically the first device for recording and reproducing sound. Tradition and innovation were never at odds with each other in Janáček's work; on the contrary, they went hand in hand, so to speak.

Why write today about the recording of old Moravian musicians on the Edison phonograph? The classrooms of the Department of Piano Performance are equipped for advanced multi-camera streaming as of 2023. The Department is also involved in a project to develop technology, special hardware and software for low-content audiovisual internet streaming in collaboration with CESNET and Disk Multimedia from 2024. After the intercontinental trials, JAMU is currently preparing a project to present this technology at EXPO 2025 in Osaka.

But let's return to Jan Jiraský himself and the students of his and other teachers who work at the Brno Conservatory and JAMU. They are guided by the conviction that only a comprehensive approach to music education can prepare a young musician for his or her career. This requires not only talent, diligence, but also mental maturity, which shapes the personality profile. Perhaps the most telling quote will be C. P. E. Bach: "The listener will be moved only when the player is moved. The inner gesture must always be stronger than the outer, then the outer gestures can be made. They are only a reflection of inner movements, otherwise they are ridiculous."

This concert is a benefit. Proceeds from the admission will be donated to support exceptionally talented young musicians.