A mixed-voice choir Dvorak Zlin, Czech Republic

Choirmaster: Josef Surovík Tel.: 657 423 207 Mail address: SPS Dvořák, Zlín Filharmonie B. Martinů nám. T. G. Masaryka 760 01 Zlín E-mail: sps.dvorak@zlin.cz President: PhDr. Anna Štroblíková Tel.: +420 737 420 864 Committee: Vice-president: Stanislav Míča Economist: Hana Zuzaníková Agent: Mgr. Jindřiška Zmožková Spokesman: Hana Zuzaníková

History of a mixed-voice choir Dvorak Zlin, Czech Republic

The town of Zlin, the centre of south-eastern Moravia, is world-famous thanks to the industrialist Tomas Bata. Just then, in the time of the flourish of his shoe-making company, Leopold Kral, a doctor, and Frantisek Smid, a teacher, founded the Singing and Musical Association Dvorak. This was led by Smid for nearly 50 years. The Association became the base of musical life in the town. In not only organised singing concert, but it was engaged in the foundation of the Municipal School of Music as well as the birth of the professional philharmonic orchestra. In 1968 the choir became a part of the National Philharmonic Orchestra. The choir repertoire was adapted to this situation. Since 1993 the choir Dvorak has been working independently, although the majority of projects is realised in the co-operation with the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic Orchestra in Zlin. Milos Machek, who has been the choirmaster since 1997, is very sensitive for this kind of activity, and he continually raises the quality of the choir. There are engaged about sixty singers in the choir who are joined by their love for music and singing. The choir Dvorak performs more than ten times a year taking part in concerts not only in Zlin but also abroad (France 1992, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2006, Hungary 1993, Poland 1997).

The significant opuses presented in the last decade: Johann Sebastian Bach: Passion of Matthew, Cantata 159 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D-minor with the Ode to the Joy Antonín Dvorak: Bridal Shirt, Te Deum, Mass in D-major Maurice Durufle: Requiem Joseph Haydn: Seven Words of Redeemer, Missa in tempore belli Georg Friedrich Haendel: The Messiah Gustav Holst: Planets Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Requiem, Ave verum corpus, Coronation Mass Jakub Jan Ryba: Czech Christmas Mass Franz Schubert: Mass in G-major Giuseppe Verdi: Requiem, Ave Maria, La Traviata