ZDENĚK LIŠKA – FILM MUSIC

The genius of film music, Zdeněk Liška, was born in March, 1922. His impact was not only on Czech film music, was world-wide. After all, according the legendary Herbert von Karajan also wanted to commission an orchestral piece from him. Liška, however, turned him down, saying that he "writes only music for pictures". Another legend says that Empress Farah Pahlaví approached Leonard Bernstein to compose music for the anniversary of the Persian Empire in 1971. In this case, it was the great "Lenny" who said no and allegedly suggested that Zdeněk Liška should provide music for this occasion. And that’s what happened! Hence the most competent should be called on to take part in this gala concert: the Kühn's mixed choir, who alongside the composer recorded his music; conductor Radek Baborák, who, together with Petr Ostrouchov, presented the remarkable audio-visual project Marketa Lazarová. And, of course, the FOK, performing his music regularly, most recently in 2018 to screen an Oscar-winning film with live music – Obchod na korze (The Shop on Main Street).