11. Benefit concert of the Bohuslav Martinů Institute

On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, a benefit concert in support of the Bohuslav Martinů Institute was held in the beautiful refectory of the Professional House on Malostranské náměstí. The evening belonged to two exceptional performers of the younger generation – cellist Vilém Vlček and pianist Denis Linnik, who together presented a varied program ranging from Mendelssohn to the masterpieces of Bohuslav Martinů.

The benefit concert also included the presentation of the latest volume of the Complete Works of Bohuslav Martinů and an excerpt from the traveling exhibition Martinů Walks Through Prague.

Interprets

Vilém Vlček

Vilém Vlček is one of the most prominent Czech cellists of his generation. Winner of the Jiří Bělohlávek Prize (2023), he has captivated audiences and experts alike with his technical ease, musical sensitivity, and mature artistic expression. In 2023, he won two prestigious international competitions – the Krzysztof Penderecki Competition in Krakow and the International Instrumental Competition in Markneukirchen. He plays an instrument by Lorenzo Ventapane from the first half of the 19th century.

Denis Linnik

Denis Linnik (*1996, Belarus) is a pianist based in Switzerland and a graduate of the Hochschule für Musik Basel. He performs as a soloist and chamber musician on leading European stages and has also long been involved in contemporary music and jazz. He is a laureate of international competitions in Rome (2022), winner of the Swiss Kiefer Hablitzel Prize (2022), semifinalist of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels (2025), and quarterfinalist of the Van Cliburn Competition (2022). His debut album Night Wind (2022, KNS Classical) features works by Janáček, Brahms, and Medtner.

In 2025, Vilém Vlček and Denis Linnik released a recording of Bohuslav Martinů's complete works for cello and piano on the Supraphon label.

Program

Felix Mendelssohn: Concertante Variations, Op. 17 (1829)

Nadia Boulanger: Three Pieces for Cello and Piano (1914)

Bohuslav Martinů: Nocturnes – Four Etudes for Cello and Piano, H 189 (1931)

Bohuslav Martinů: Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2, H 286 (1941)

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We would like to thank all donors and visitors who have supported the activities of the Bohuslav Martinů Institute through their participation. Your patronage and generosity enable us to continue caring for Bohuslav Martinů's legacy, developing research projects, and making his work accessible to the public. We greatly appreciate your support.