Duo of violinist Yu-Ming Ma and pianist Isaac Foreman will present works by Czech composers in memory of the Lidice massacre. The audience will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of songs based on two of the eternal themes of life and art: love and yearning. Jonathan Mak joins for Dvořák’s Sonatina in G Major.
On June 11, 1942, The New York Times delivered harrowing news: “Nazis Blot Out a Czech Village.” A German radio broadcast confirmed the destruction of Lidice, reporting that “all adult men were shot, women sent to concentration camps, and children brought to appropriate educational institutions.” The massacre was presented as retaliation for the villagers’ alleged involvement in the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia.
In a war marked by countless brutalities, Lidice might have faded from memory. Instead, it inspired an international outpouring of grief and resistance from artists, writers, filmmakers, and workers.
program
Antonín Dvořák 4 Romantic Pieces, Op. 75
I. Allegro moderato
II. Allegro maestoso
III. Allegro appassionato
IV. Larghetto
Antonín Dvořák/ Fritz Kreisler Songs My Mother Taught Me
Bohuslav Martinů 5 Madrigal Stanzas
I. Moderato
II. Poco allegretto
III. Andante moderato
IV. Scherzando, poco allegro
V. Poco allegro
Antonín Dvořák Sonatina in G Major, Op. 100
I. Allegro risoluto
II. Larghetto
III. Molto vivace
IV. Allegro
meet the artists
Taiwanese violinist Yu-Ming (Andrew) Ma began his musical studies at the age of five. Being a well-rounded violinist, he especially enjoys performing actively as a chamber musician. His chamber music experience includes performing at the Kneisel Hall chamber music festival, Taos School of Music, and Music@Menlo as an international performer. In February 2020, Andrew performed at Tongyeong International Music Festival in Tongyeong Korea as a guest artist, invited by noted violinist Jinjoo Cho. Yu-Ming holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Cleveland Institute of Music and a Master’s Degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rice University studying under the tutelage of Paul Kantor.
Isaac Foreman is establishing himself as an exciting and versatile pianist and chamber musician. A second year DACAMERA Young Artist, he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Rice University with Jon Kimura Parker. Mr. Foreman completed a master’s degree at The Juilliard School. He has recently appeared at Alice Tully Hall’s “Wednesday at One” series, the Juilliard Focus Festival, Internationalen Sommerakademie am Mozarteum Salzburg, and the Gijón International Piano Festival. He is a prize winner of several competitions, including the Young Texas Artists Piano Competition (2nd Prize), American Virtuoso International Competition (1st Prize), MTNA Steinway and Sons Piano Competition (2nd Prize), and has recently performed concerti with the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra and Brunesis Virtuosi Orchestra.
Winner of the 2024 inaugural Concours international de musique de Sorel-Tracy and the 2023 inaugural Bader & Overton Canadian Piano Competition, Jonathan Mak is a pianist from Toronto, Canada. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts program at Rice University with Jon Kimura Parker. Jonathan is the recipient of the 2021 and 2023 Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Award, along with the 2023 Walter Prsytawski Prize.
disclaimer
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; late arrivals may be denied entry once capacity is reached. All ticket sales are final. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the show starts; latecomers may be refused admission.
Food and Drink Policy: Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Media Recording Notice: By attending this event hosted by the Czech Center Museum Houston, you consent to being photographed and recorded. The Czech Center Museum Houston and its partners may use these images and recordings for promotional purposes.