The Wihan Quartet's focus is appropriately on their Czech repertoire, though the group begins with one of Beethoven’s most stirring middle-period works for the medium. An ensemble founded and renewed over a period of nearly 40 years has won numerous prizes and accolades for its performances and recordings of wide swathes of the repertoire. Programme... Read more »

Adam Plachetka was born in Prague and since 2010 a member of the ensemble of the Vienna State Opera (where Strauss was once director), the bass-baritone selects songs by major composers who worked in these two highly musical cities. Accompanied by Gary Matthewman, piano. Programme Antonín Dvořák  Biblical Songs Op. 99 Gypsy Songs Op. 55... Read more »

The theme of the sixth CEC conference is Pathways: Building (Y)our Future. It will focus on the prospective sectors for a career in the region, look at the future of its markets, and discuss contemporary issues, threats, and opportunities that Central Europe presents. Participate in a multi layered debate through panels, workshops, and 'success story... Read more »

To commemorate 75 years since the tragic death of Jan Masaryk, former Czechoslovak Minister of Foreign Affairs and the country's longest serving Ambassador to the United Kingdom. A panel debate with Dr Jakub Beneš Associate Professor, University College London, School of Slavonic and East European Studies Dr Thomas Lorman Lecturer, University College London, School of... Read more »

The ensemble is a legendary one that can trace its history back to its foundation in 1934. Over the decades it has won numerous awards for its recordings, especially of the Czech repertoire, including a BBC Music Magazine Chamber Music Award in 2017; both works in today’s programme appear in the Smetana’s substantial discography. Programme Antonín Dvořák  ... Read more »

The Birkbeck Garden History Group, in association with the Friends of Czech Heritage, is holding a study day to explore the history and development of some of the Czech Republic’s distinctive gardens, from Baroque to modern. Programme: 10.00 am. Registration and coffee 10.30 am. Speaker: Ina Truxová Baroque Gardens, with a focus on properties in... Read more »

A talk by Richard Bassett former Times correspondent in Eastern Europe and author of the widely acclaimed Last Days in Old Europe reflects on more than 40 years of association with the Czech lands. First travelling to Prague as an architectural historian, he later spent nearly 10 years covering events in communist Czechoslovakia including the Velvet Revolution.  An expert on... Read more »