Programme notes:

Tereza Jaďuďová (b. 2001)
3 Pieces for flute & guitar, Op. 22
Written in 2017-2018

This trio of short programmatic pieces for flute and guitar blends Baroque imagination with cinematic storytelling. Each miniature paints a scene from a romanticized version of English courtly life, set in an idealized medieval or early Renaissance world.

Although written for modest forces, the music evokes rich visual and emotional landscapes, revealing Jaďuďová’s gift for narrative composition. Each movement is paired with a prose vignette, underscoring its theatrical character.

No. 1 – In Medieval Times
A young nobleman, walking through a summer forest near York, spots a carriage carrying an old man and his radiant daughter. He is instantly captivated and, true to the code of chivalry, offers his hand in marriage.

The music gently unfolds with a sense of anticipation and charm. Melodic lines flow naturally between the instruments, evoking grace, romantic warmth, and the quiet confidence of the young knight.

No. 2 – At the Royal Court
King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth watch a lively gathering in their castle’s grand hall. Courtiers and ladies dance, musicians play, scents of feasting fill the air—and eventually, the monarchs themselves rise to join the celebration.

This movement features dance-like rhythms, elegant ornamentation, and a festive character. It glimmers with regal poise and lively courtly energy.

No. 3 – Miniature
A beauty from the distant lands of the Pyrenean Peninsula—Catherine of Aragon—arrives at the English court. She enchants Prince Arthur, leaving his brother Henry in wistful longing. The brothers eventually agree to share the dance, and peace is restored.

Delicate and expressive, this final piece incorporates Spanish color and gentle melancholy. It is the most lyrical of the set, closing the suite with warmth, intimacy, and a touch of historical fantasy.