The Smetana Trio
Jan Palenicek - Cello Jitka Cechova - Piano 
“..an interpretation which surpassed that of the Beaux Arts Trio and the Suk Trio!”Philippe Simon, Diapason The current Smetana Trio with cellist Jan Palenicek continue the tradition of the popular piano trio of the same name founded in the 1930s by pianist Josef Palenicek, whose son is recognised as one of the finest cellists on the current Czech music scene. An ongoing recording contract with Supraphon has produced a range of CDs of the major piano trio works, winning a host of international awards including the Diapason d’Or in 2006, BBC Music Magazine award in 2007 and CD of the month in the same magazine in 2005 (Smetana, Suk, Novak), 2006 (Dvorak) an 2008 (Tchaikovsky, Dvorak). Several recordings have also been made for radio and television. The trio perform regularly throughout the Czech Republic with regular tours abroad to countries including Japan, Britain, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. The trio also collaborate frequently with international orchestras. 
Jan Palenicek studied with two of the greatest Czech cellists of their generation, Sasa Vectomov and Milos Sadlo. He studied chamber music with Joseph Vlach, leader of the Vlach Quartet and Paul Tortellier. Jan has given concerto and chamber performances throughout Europe as well as in Japan, USA and South Africa and he has recorded over 24 CDs. He has taught at the Conservatoire and at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. 
Jana Vonaskova-Novakova studied at the Prague Conservatoire, then at the Royal College of Music in London with Felix Andrievsky. Her awards include Young Concert Artists Trust, London in 2002. She has played as soloist throughout Europe and Japan. UK venues include Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St David’s Hall plus Leamington, Chester, Bath and King’s Lynn festivals. Jana has recorded for Czech Radio and TV plus BBC Radio 3, Radio Classique France and NHKTV Japan. 
Jitka Cechova has an international solo career enjoying regular appearances with orchestras throughout Europe. Festival engagements include Prague Spring, Graz, Paris, Frankfurt and Edinburgh. A major international prizewinner, Jitka has also made a number of recordings including the complete piano works of Smetana as a series of 7 CDs for Supraphon. Repertoire Discography Sound Samples |