Recorded in the Church of Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren, Prague – Vinohrady, May 15-16 and June 16-17, 2015, and at the Martínek Studio, Prague, on June 8, 2015.

Courage – one of the loveliest characteristics of the noteworthy harpist Kateřina Englichová. Her quest led her to the composers of the latter half of the twentieth century; she has given the premieres of a number of their works, some of which were dedicated to her. You can forget all about the romantic image of a beautiful woman gently strumming the harp strings with empty virtuosity that quickly becomes tiresome.

Slavický, Hurník, and Kabeláč present the harp as a dynamic, assertive instrument of expressive versatility, challenging us to search the depths. They have taken their inspiration from the French suite (Sluka), Mozart’s catchy tunes (Hurník), and the coloristic possibilities of the flute and harp (Kabeláč). To many, it may come as a surprise that the small Czech nation was producing so much innovative yet beautiful music for harp at the same time that Britten composed his Suite.

In two works, the harpist partners with Carol Wincenc, the highly regarded American professor of flute at the Juilliard School, and in Gemrot’s trio she is joined by the oboist Vilém Veverka and the pianist Martin Kasík. For those who are not afraid of the unknown, Kateřina Englichová discovers previously unknown beauty. And this discovery is worth hearing.