Article published in Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic

reproduced here by kind permission of the author: John Bladon

Josef Vejvoda's first concert in Britain

On Saturday 17th April 2004, composer and conductor Josef Vejvoda (son of Jaromir Vejvoda, composer of the world-renowned hit Roll out the Barrel) made his first public concert appearance in Britain with great success. Josef appeared as guest conductor in a concert given by the Reading-based Trinity Concert Band (Director of Music: Michael Steele) before a capacity audience in the Bearwood Theatre, Sindlesham (Berkshire). The concert overall featured musical items from many nations with the band providing wonderful entertainment for the enthusiastic audience. Highlights among the pieces conducted by Michael Steele were a fantasy The New Village by Dutch composer Kees Vlak, a movement from Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto (soloist John Sayer) and a rousing rendition of the Florentiner March by Julius Fuka, the Czech "march king".

Josef Vejvoda was invited to conduct the band in four items: his father's spirited march Nova Praha (New Prague), the well-known Slavonicka polka (by Vladimir Fuka), his own entrancing waltz composition Zarte Liebe (Gentle Love) and the famous "hit of the 20th century" Roll out the Barrel from the pen of his father. Each of these pieces was preceded by a few words of introduction from Josef who, with his quiet friendly manner, quickly established a warm rapport with the audience. Further evidence of this genial relationship was provided in the interval when copies of Josef's CDs went on sale and were eagerly snapped up by enthusiastic purchasers. Particularly in demand was the new instrumental album "Beer Barrel Polka / Play to mMe Gipsy" featuring Josef Vejvoda's Salon Orchestra. At the end of the concert, and to tumultuous applause, Michael Steele presented Josef with a set of two batons in an inscribed case to commemorate this memorable occasion. Numerous messages of appreciation for Josef Vejvoda's appearance were subsequently received by the band and, such is the interest in this music, it is planned to include further performances of these pieces in the Trinity Band's forthcoming concerts.