Once again this year, the most successful local participants in the competition will receive a special prize: an invitation to perform at a gala concert in the Mirror Hall of the New Kinský Château in Kostelec nad Orlicí. Behind this honour is none other than František Kinský himself, the château’s owner, a descendant of a noble family, and a long-time supporter of both our competitions.
What makes the Kocian Violin Competition special for you? Why did you decide to support it?
What caught my attention is that these Ústí competitions take place in our region, actually quite close to our family estate. I appreciate their long tradition and the fact that they are named after two exceptional musicians from Ústí: violinist Jaroslav Kocian and cellist Bohuš Heran. I truly enjoy watching children and young people who devote their time to meaningful and noble interests.
Do you engage in music yourself? Do you play any musical instrument?
Unfortunately, I don’t engage in music myself and I’ve never played any musical instrument. But since childhood, I was brought up to appreciate classical music as a listener. My mother, Bernadetta, loved it deeply.
You regularly invite the most talented performers of both competitions to your château in Kostelec nad Orlicí. How do their performances affect you?
The exceptional performances of children aged sixteen and under have often deeply impressed me, both at the Kocian Violin Competition and the Heran Cello Competition. After being strongly moved by the winners’ concerts in 2020, I decided to invite selected Czech participants, chosen by the expert jury, to my home, the New Château in Kostelec nad Orlicí.
There is surely a difference between performing in a music hall at school and in the Mirror Hall of a château. Can the combination of music and historical space create a unique experience for both performers and the audience?
Concerts in the Mirror Hall truly have a very special atmosphere. People travel to us from far and wide no doubt not only for the music and the carefully chosen performers, but also for the enchanting setting. It’s a place where everyone feels close to one another, where the audience is just a few steps away from the musicians and has the chance to meet them in person.
The concerts featuring selected Czech participants of the Kocian and Heran Competitions are unique because they bring together peers who share the same passion, enthusiasm, and dedication, along with their parents, grandparents, teachers, and sometimes even jury members and the heads of both competitions.
We always begin with an official welcome and opening ceremony in the Kinský Gallery on the château’s upper floor. This is followed by a guided tour of the Life in the Biedermeier Era exhibition, led either by myself or my daughter-in-law Hana Kinská. After rehearsals, the event culminates in the concert itself. This year, we are scheduled to meet on Saturday, October 11.
Can the public attend these concerts as well?
Yes, a portion of the tickets that are not used by teachers and family members is made available for pre-sale, with priority given to students and teachers from Elementary Art schools.
What does art bring into your life?
Art brings great joy into my life, as well as opportunities to meet others. That’s one of the reasons I opened the château exhibition, which features not only Biedermeier-style furniture, but also many collectible pieces: paintings, porcelain, and glass. In 2013 I also opened the Kinský Gallery on the château’s upper floor. The exhibition space includes thirteen large rooms with a beautiful view of the English park. Every season, we host at least two major exhibitions.
We focus strongly on classical music and have a loyal subscriber base. I dare say we welcome truly top-class performers. This year, from spring to summer, the programme includes violinists Václav Hudeček and Jan Novák with the ensemble Barocco sempre giovane, the Epoque Quartet with pianist Jan Kučera, and horn player Radek Baborák with the Prague Chamber Soloists.
We are also preparing the very first edition of a two-day festival: The New Château Summer of Music. On June 28 and 29, we will welcome bass-baritone Adam Plachetka, soprano Doubravka Novotná, and the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Robert Jindra, as well as violinist Josef Špaček with the Pardubice Chamber Philharmonic conducted by Stanislav Vavřínek.