Smetana trio

The Smetana Trio was founded in the 1930's. Leading Czech soloists and founding members pianist Josef Páleníček, violinist Alexandr Plocek, and violoncellist Frantisek Smetana thus continued in the traditions of such personalities as Cortot, Thibaud and Casals, from whose artistry they were able to draw inspiration during the years that they spent in Paris. Josef Páleníček became the artistic director of the Smetana Trio (later called the Czech Trio) for the entire existence of the ensemble. His trio partners at the time included Alexandr Plocek and cellist Milos Sádlo. After the death of Josef Páleníček the symbolic baton of the trio passed to his son, violoncellist Jan Páleníček. Following in the footsteps of their predecessors, the current members of the Smetana Trio, violinist Jana Nováková, violoncellist Jan Páleníček and pianist Jitka Čechová enhance their trio performances with solo numbers, in the glorious original tradition of this chamber ensemble.