Marimba Enchants in French Chamber Music Program

The 31st season's chamber series highlights unusual instruments, and the third evening of the chamber cycle fully embraced this theme. At the Professed House (Profesní dům), audiences experienced not only the harp, English horn, and piano, but also the marimba, showcased by one of the most talented marimbists, Ladislav Bilan.

The evening, devoted primarily to French music from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, culminated in Camille Saint-Saëns' famous work Danse macabre, arranged for marimba and piano. Monday's program wouldn't have been possible without the arrangements by Jaroslav Pelikán, who transcribed Claude Debussy's Suite bergamasque and Gabriel Fauré's celebrated Pavane Op. 50. Arranger Karel Chudý also adapted Gustav Mahler's song Urlicht for English horn and marimba.

The completely full hall showed their appreciation with thunderous applause and shouts of bravo.

Photos: Milan Mošna