Bozkov
Church of the Visitation of Our Lady Queen of the Mountains
Ave Maria
Admission 150 CZK
Performers
Markéta Klaudová – soprano
Aleš Bárta – organ
Program
Ch. Gounod / J. S. Bach – Ave Maria
J. S. Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565)
G. Caccini – Ave Maria
B. M. Cernohorsky – Toccata in C major
J. Seger – Fugue in A minor
P. Mascagni – Ave Maria
W. A. Mozart – Ouverture in C major, KV 399
L. Sluka – 4 Ave Maria
A. Dvořák – Prelude in A minor & Fugue in G minor
L. Janáček – Ave Maria
Program
Ch. Gounod / J. S. Bach – Ave Maria
J. S. Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565)
G. Caccini – Ave Maria
B. M. Cernohorsky – Toccata in C major
J. Seger – Fugue in A minor
P. Mascagni – Ave Maria
W. A. Mozart – Ouverture in C major, KV 399
L. Sluka – 4 Ave Maria
A. Dvořák – Prelude in A minor & Fugue in G minor
L. Janáček – Ave Maria
Ales Barta
(*1960) is one of the most important Czech organists. He studied at the Brno Conservatoire under Prof. Josef Pukl and then at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague under doc. Václav Rabas. Already during his studies he became a successful participant in international competitions. He won the International Organ Competition of Anton Bruckner in Linz (1982), was a laureate of the International Organ Competition of Franz Liszt in Budapest (1983) and in 1984 was the absolute winner of the International Organ Competition of the Prague Spring Festival.
As a soloist, he regularly performs with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Virtuosi di Praga and the Prague Chamber Orchestra. He has collaborated with important soloists such as Josef Suk, Ivan Kusnjer, Sergej Kopčák and Miroslav Kejmar. His concert activities have taken him to prestigious venues around the world. He has performed in Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Russia, Turkey, USA, Japan and China. He has participated in international festivals in Tokyo, London, Zurich, Berlin, Leipzig, Avignon, Madrid, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Budapest and Bratislava.
His artistry is appreciated not only on the concert stage, but also in recordings that have won critical and audience acclaim. His brilliant technique and musical sensitivity make him one of the most outstanding personalities of Czech organ performance.
Markéta Klaudová
was born in Brno into a musical family. She started out in the Kantiléna choir and as a member of the children’s choir of the National Theatre Brno she performed abroad. She graduated from the Pedagogical Faculty of Masaryk University in Brno and studied singing in Italy under the guidance of Alda Caiello.
He regularly collaborates with the Czech Philharmonic, Brno Philharmonic and Czech Virtuosi. In 2017 she made her debut at the National Theatre Opera and has been a guest at leading Czech and international theatres. She is a laureate of the Cesti-Wettbewerb competition in Innsbruck (2018) and a winner of the Jantar Prize (2022). She is a member of the Czech Ensemble Baroque and regularly performs at festivals such as Smetana Litomyšl, Dvořák’s Prague, Music Znojmo and others.
Bozkov
Bozkov is an important pilgrimage site situated on the border of the Podkrkonoší, Bohemian Paradise and Jizera Mountains. The history of the local church dates back to the 14th century, when a wooden church stood here, which was destroyed during the Hussite wars. The present Baroque Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary was built in 1690-1693 at the instigation of Countess Marie Polyxena Desfours and is still one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the region.
According to an old legend, the new church was originally supposed to be built in Roztoky, but the building material was supposedly miraculously moved to Bozkov. This sign was considered a manifestation of God’s will and the place soon became a centre of Marian veneration. The church attracted pilgrims not only from the surrounding area, but also from wider parts of Bohemia and Moravia.
Three bells hang in the tower of the church, the oldest of which dates back to 1555 and is decorated with a relief of the Madonna of Bozkov. Originally, the church had up to six bells, but during the wars some of them were requisitioned and used to make weapons. In 1924, thanks to the collections of the faithful, new bells were purchased, but even these were melted down during the Second World War. After the war, a bell from 1550, from Manin in Prague, was recovered, and today it rings again at services and important church events.
On the choir of the church there is a historic organ from 1852, built by organist Josef Prediger from Albrechtice. It is a mechanical drawer instrument with two manuals and 21 registers, which is one of the most valuable organs in the region. Unfortunately, in 2012 it had to be taken out of service due to worm infestation and general wear and tear. They were in danger of irreversible destruction, but thanks to the great efforts of the parish, local residents and generous donors, the necessary funds were raised. The costly reconstruction, worth 5.5 million crowns, took several years and in October 2023 the organ was inaugurated.
The Bozkov church continues to serve not only as a place of spiritual renewal, but also as an important cultural centre. Concerts of sacred music are regularly held here, featuring leading organists and musical ensembles from all over the country. Thanks to its rich history, its bells and the restored organ, the church has become not only a spiritual but also a cultural treasure, attracting the attention not only of the faithful but also of music and history lovers.