Reviews

• the Washington Post, Monday, February 13, 2006, Section C5

  "The Czech Nonet, founded in 1924, has remained active and renowned through a world war, an oppressive communist regime and the Velvet Revolution, and the current iteration of the ensemble showed why on Friday night when it played the Library of Congress's Coolidge Auditorium.
  The Nonet’s diverse instruments were perfectly balanced (Vladimira Klanska’s unfailingly decorous and lively French Horn was particularly impressive), the musicians made countless lovely blends from their timbres, and their performances sang with infectious joy in musicmaking. It was a treat to hear them."
  

• From the Buffalo News, Wednesday, February 15, 2006, written by Herman Trotter

  "Bravo to the Czech Nonet for the freshness and inventiveness of Tuesday's program. It presented works by three leading composers of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries - Mozart, Brahms, and Martinu - yet none of the compositions had ever been heard here in the 82 years of the Buffalo Chamber Music Society.
  "…it was a delight all the way, with the 1959 Nonet by Bohuslav Martinu, written for the Czech Nonet, remaining in the mind as a sort of 'first among equals.'"
  
  

• The Washington Post, February 29, 2004 (Joseph McLellan)

  The Czech Nonet, touring the United States and celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding in 1924, gave one of the season's finest concerts Friday night at the Barns at Wolf Trap. With nine instruments from the whole range of winds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn) and strings, the ensemble is prepared to take on nearly any chamber music that does not require a piano or second violin; its players are all virtuosos, and they work together with the smoothness of an 80-year tradition.
  The first half of the program featured works of two Czech composers: the Quintet for Oboe and Strings in G Minor by the nearly unknown Antonin Vranicky (1761-1820) and the colorful, inventive Nonet No. 2, written in the last year of his life by Bohuslav Martinu (1890-1959), a genius still awaiting the full recognition he deserves. After intermission the program ended with Beethoven's youthful, Mozartian Septet in E-flat, Op. 20.
  It is worth noting that these three works, plus the arrangement of Boccherini's Minuet that was played as an encore, all included the double bass, an instrument not heard often in chamber music. In the hands of this ensemble's bassist, Radovan Hec, this instrument more than justified its place in the ensemble. It gave the sound a warmth, depth and solidity that was augmented by the auditorium's ideal acoustics. At the other end of the string spectrum, violinist Martin Kos provided unobtrusive leadership and some elegant solos. All nine players (too numerous to list by name) had excellent solos, but the most delightful thing about this group was its impeccable ensemble playing.
  The program was taped for later broadcast on WETA-FM with host Rich Kleinfeld. It will be worth tuning in to hear it on the radio.
  

• The Plain Dealer (Cleveland), February 27, 2004

  ... The Czech Nonet, for example, could not be mistaken for an American or British or Russian ensemble. The musicians claim the songfulness and robust vivacity that long have been national hallmarks, not to mention a certain tonal warmth and loving vibrato that give their artistry distinctive qualities.
  
  The group was in full blossom Wednesday during its concert in the Gala series at the Cleveland Museum of Art ... the playing so captured the soul of the music that it seized
  

• BBC Music Magazine, November / December 2003

  The Czech's new version of the Septet is hard to resist: relaxed yet vital, full of character, and with an ideally judged balance of refinemment and rusticity. Among modern-instrument versions ... you won't do better than this beautifully recorded new disc.
  
  

• The Plain Dealer, Cleveland OH, April 2002

  "The Lutoslawski dances had dynamic nuance and rhythmic flexibility, and the Jaroch suite sounded positively effervescent. The [Czech Nonet] did its best playing in the Brahms Serenade.Minuets and scherzos were gracefully phrased. The adagio flowed with lyricism. The performance as a whole was a delight, and the audience brought the ensemble back for an encore, a charming bonbon by Boccherini."

• Daily Freeman, Hudson Valley NY, May 2002

  ".in addition to playing with the synchronicity and blend of a world-class string quartet or wind quintet, a perfection that takes the breath way, every member within the [Czech Nonet] plays like an angel...their phrases slip from strings to winds and back with so similar a color and vibe that the transition momentarily escapes detection.these players pass along the living heart in a line so exquisite that sonorities are perpetually lit by artistic anima."
  

• Green Bay Press-Gazette, Green Bay WI, April 2002

  "Imagine nine elegant voices speaking, individually, on the same topic. Trade musical instruments for voices, and you have the music of the Czech Nonet."

• Gramophone, Discs of the Year, January 2002

  "Though Brahms early E major serenade is familiar enough in full orchestral dress it's hats off to the distinguished Czech Nonet for offering it as first sketched for a small, mixed chamber music team."

Download

		Czech Nonet - CD HUMMEL 2008 [303.00 kB]
	in french
		Washington Post 2006 [332.89 kB]
		San Jose Mercury News, February 7th, 2007 [623.62 kB]
		New Orleans Times-Picayune, February 2nd 2007 [650.53 kB]