BELFIATO QUINTET

The Belfiato Quintet, a leading Czech wind ensemble celebrating 20 years of concert activity this year, embarks on an inspiring journey through the music of Karel Husa, one of the most important Czech composers of the 20th century, on their new album. Following previous collaborations with the Prague Symphony Orchestra (Music for Prague, 2021) and clarinetist Anna Paulová (2023), this new project reveals Husa's work in all its color, depth, and emotional power. The album will be released by Supraphon on 19 September 2025 on CD and in digital formats.

Karel Husa, winner of the Pulitzer and Grawemeyer prizes, studied in Paris with legendary teachers Nadia Boulanger and Arthur Honegger. After 1948, he decided to remain abroad and spent most of his life at Cornell University in the USA. Nevertheless, his work remains deeply rooted in Czech and Slovak culture.

The album features three major compositions: the sonically rich Serenade for wind quintet, strings, harp, and xylophone; the reflective Recollections for quintet and piano; and the expressive Five Poems, inspired by the world of birds. "Karel Husa's music is formally clear, contrapuntally consistent, with a subtle sense of color and a strong emotional charge," says the Belfiato Quintet, adding: "It is a rare combination of intellectual analysis and emotional communication."

The Prague Philharmonia, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume, also participated in the recording, including Husa's Serenade in the opening concert of its 31st season. The piano part in Recollections was performed by Matouš Zukal, a remarkable talent of the younger generation, winner of the d'Île-de-France competition and laureate of the Prague Spring Festival.

"Five Poems is a musical metaphor for freedom, nature, and energy. Recollections is a surrealistic reflection of memories with a rich palette of sound experiments," the ensemble explains.

The Belfiato Quintet is entering the new season with a series of concerts – in September, they will perform at the Ostrava City Hall and at the Dvořák Prague Festival. The program will feature works by Rejcha, Françaix, and Beri (Opus Number Zoo), which combine music with acting and recitation. "On Tuesday, November 25, we are preparing a birthday concert at the Rudolfinum, where we will launch our new album and celebrate 20 years together," the members of the Belfiato Quintet invite their fans.