Hradišťan

Hradišťan was founded in 1950 in Uherské Hradiště. In the first two decades of its existence, the ensemble was led by its first violinist Jaroslav Staňek. After his death in 1978, he was succeeded by the professional violinist and musicologist Jiří Pavlica (born in 1953) and the ensemble took a new direction. They released their record There was the Battle of Austerlitz (Byla vojna u Slavkova) in 1982, inspired by the Napoleonic Wars and using often forgotten historical motifs accompanied by unusual folk instruments. Some songs, including From Pressburg Rain Comes (Od Prešpurka dážď ide), became a part folklore. In 1994, Hradišťan released the album Echoes of the Soul (Ozvěny duše), where historical elements (Great Moravia, Gothic, Baroque) combine with a contemporary musical expression. In the same year, the ensemble recorded an album with the singer and song writer Vlasta Redl named AG Flek and Hradišťan (AG Flek a Hradišťan), which was later awarded a Gold record. The ensemble also collaborated with the pianist and composer Emil Viklický, e.g. on It Rains (Prší déšť). The ensemble also worked in exotic international environment, e.g. they recorded the album Dawn (Svítání, 1997) with the Japanese percussionist Yas-Kaz and Cape of Good Hope (Mys Dobré naděje, 2001) with the South African multi-instrumentalist Dizu Plaatjies. At home, they recorded About the Solstice (O slunovratu, 1999) with verses by Jan Skácel, whose poetry became an important source of inspiration for Hradišťan’s music in the following years as well.

Hradišťan’s repertoire also contains contemporary and classical music, e.g. Pavlica’s Oratorio of Reconciliation (Oratorium smíru, 2004) and Shivering. A Suite of Dialogues (Chvění. Suita dialogů, 2007), as well as children’s songs, e.g. We Play with Mum (Hrajeme si u maminky, 2005) and Ruby Spring (Studánko rubínko, 2009). The ensemble currently consists of Jiří Pavlica, David Burda (clarinet, flute), Milan Malina (dulcimer), Roman Gill (quinton), Milan Gablas (bass), Josef Fojta (keyboard, percussions) and the vocalist Alice Holubová.

Hradišťan has received many awards, both at home and abroad, e.g. a Platinum record for the album About the Solstice, Gold records for Echoes of the Soul, Vlasta Redl, AG Flek & Hradišťan, Jiří Pavlica and Cape of Good Hope, and a remastered edition of There was the Battle of Austerlitz was a runner-up in an international radio contest.