DULCIMER BAND

Hradistan

The Czech Republic is a small country in the very centre of Europe. The Czech Republic comprises three historical territorries – Bohemia in the west and Moravia and a part of Silesia in the east. In the southeastern part of Moravia, approximately 30 km from the border with the Slovak Republic, you can find the ancient town of Uherske Hradiste, the place of work of an extraordinary musical ensemble – the Hradistan Dulcimer Band. This band finds for its inspiration in traditional folk art.

The Hradistan Dulcimer Band belongs to the oldest and most well-known Moravian dulcimer bands. The ensemble was formed together with a dance group in Uherske Hradiste in 1950. Since that time several generations of musicians, singers and dancers have gone through its personel, first under the long-time leadership of Jaroslav Stanek. His creative approach to folk material changed the understanding of its stage presentation as a series of songs and dances towards more elaborated artistic compositions.

Since 1975 Jiri Pavlica has been the artistic director and the first violinist and the group has undergone gradual transformation under his directorship and demands on the members gradually increased.