Jaroslav Jezek Exhibition - Life Is Just A Coincidence ("Zivot je jen nahoda") 100 Anniversary Of The Composer´s Birth

This important exhibition is located in the National Museum- Czech Museum of Music from Sept. 22, 2006 to February 26 2007, Karmelitska 2, Prague 1. and sponsored by the UNESCO commission. It is presented in both Czech and English.

Jaroslav Jezek was honored by UNESCO this year by being mentioned among the most important personalities on their current list. Thus his name appeared next to such famous composers as Fibich or Dvorak.

Born on Sept. 25, 1906 in Prague, he suffered of various ailments, particularly of poor eyesight which eventually lead to his blindness. In spite of these handicaps he became a very successful musician and composer because of his enormous talent and hard work. Most people got to know of him because of his work with Jiri Voskovec and Jan Werich in the Liberated Theater which lasted about 10 years and which also made him financially independent. His compositions of classical music are less known but they have been achieving more recognition and appreciation in the last 60 years. His career was interrupted when WW. II broke out in Europe. He had to flee his homeland and move to New York where he died on Jan. 1, 1942 at the age of 36.

The exhibition is very extensive and contains Jezek´s handwritten original scores, his private papers and letters, personal objects, many photographs, films and scenes from theater productions and live music performances. On October 26, a lecture and discussion with Professor Michael Beckerman from the USA will take place.

The exhibition will appeal to everyone, especially to young people and students. They will most likely enjoy the many Jezek caricatures, interactive exhibits, Carioca, contests and recordings of Jezek playing his piano, and much more.

Exhibition is open daily except Tuesday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.

More info., at www.nm.cz