Classical Preview: Czech festival marks the beginning of a new era

The highlight will be a national tour by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra opening in London and taking in Sheffield, Leeds and Bradford, the first two conducted by the distinguished Libor Pesek.

"There is an energy about their playing that was often missing in the past from Czech national music-making and for that reason I particularly enjoy conducting them," he said.

"The extent of British interest in Czech culture is astonishing. I was amazed to come to places like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds in the 1980s and discover just how curious people were about our national music. It was, of course, Dvorak himself who founded those ties with his visits to England."

Sharing the tour is Petr Altrichter who succeeded Pesek as principal conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and he will direct in Bradford.

During the festival, a whole spectrum of Czech composers will be featured in the orchestra's Yorkshire concerts, with Sheffield and Bradford enjoying parts of Smetana's symphonic cycle Ma Vlast and Dvorak's Eighth symphony.

Other touring groups performing Czech music

over the period include the Gould Piano Trio who play works by Martinu and Dvorak in their concert at Halifax's Square Chapel (February 12).

Sheffield City Hall, February 5, 7pm, 0114 278 9789; Leeds Town Hall, February 6, 7.30pm, 0113 224 3801; Bradford St George's Hall, February 12, 7.30pm, 01274 432000; Halfax Square Chapel, February 12, 7.30pm, 01422 349422.