Smetana Trio[Short Biography] 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 award-winning CDs. The trio perform regularly throughout the Czech Republic with tours throughout Europe and in Japan. They also collaborate frequently with international orchestras. In 2011 they will perform in the Leamington Festival in May, at the Goldsmiths Hall (City Music Society) and a tour of seven UK music societies in October. Jan Palenicek studied chamber music with Joseph Vlach, leader of the Vlach Quartet and Paul Tortellier. He has given concerto and chamber performances worldwide and 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. Jitka Cechova has an international solo career enjoying regular appearances with orchestras throughout Europe. A major international prizewinner, Jitka has also made many recordings, including the complete piano works of Smetana. [Longer Biography] 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. A recording contract with Supraphon has produced a range of CDs of the major piano trio works, with 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) and 2008 (Tchaikovsky, Dvorak). Several recordings have also been made for radio and television. Their most recent recording, in 2010 was a new CD for Supraphon of trio works by Mendelssohn op 49 and Schubert op 100. The trio perform throughout the Czech Republic with regular tours to countries including Japan, Britain, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. They also collaborate frequently with international orchestras; 2010 ended with a very successful tour of France with the Orchestre Nationale des Pays de la Loire, conducted by John Axelyod performing the Beethoven Triple Concerto. UK concerts in 2011 included a concert for Abbotsholme Music Society, followed by an appearance in the Leamington Festival in May, a visit to Goldsmiths Hall with the City Music Society and a tour of seven UK music clubs in October. Forthcoming tours in 2012 include East Anglia and the south west of England. 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 first prizes at the Talent of the Year 2000 (Prague), the Wieniawski and Lipi?ski Violin Competition (Lublin 2000) and the Young Concert Artists Trust (London 2002). She has played as soloist throughout Europe and Japan. UK venues include Wigmore Hall, Bridgewater Hall and St David’s Hall, and Leamington, Chester, Bath and King’s Lynn festivals. Jana has recorded for Czech Radio and TV, 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. 
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