Nine’s Company

In 1924, when a motley crew of nine Prague Conservatoire students formed the chamber music ensemble Czech Nonet, they were in a quandary—they had only one piece of music to play. At the time, the only known composition for flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, violin, viola, cello, string bass, and two bassoons was an opus by Louis Spohr, penned 100 years earlier.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and the situation inspired modern greats, including Prokofiev and Martinu, to write more than 300 compositions for the ensemble. The Czech Nonet not only spawned a new branch of classical chamber composition, but it also carved out an interpretive niche for which there was no model. Not surprisingly, the group boasts an eighty-two-year-old reputation for its world-class interpretations of contemporary music.

Since its formation, the ensemble has brought the music of Czech composers to audiences throughout the world, first on junkets to Lithuania and Great Britain, and later, on several-week tours as far as Latin America and South Africa. During the German occupation of Prague, the group’s home concerts were important rallying cries for nationality. This month, thanks to the tireless impresario of Music in the Park Series, Julie Himmelstrup, Minnesota is on the Czech Nonet’s itinerary.

“Czech Nonet is a very highly regarded ensemble throughout Europe,” says Himmelstrup. “When the opportunity came up for this concert, I grabbed it!” Himmelstrup booked the group, as did the Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud, which hosts the ensemble the night before its St. Paul concert.

Repertoire is no longer an issue, so concertgoers can expect a program that explores music by Czech composers Dvorak and Martinu. But the group’s large size poses a challenge. Says Himmelstrup, “I’m sure I’ll have to move the piano and borrow chairs and stands!” Oct. 22. St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, 2129 Commonwealth Ave., St. Paul, 651-645-5699, musicintheparkseries.org

Reach Lani Willis at laniwillis@aol.com