Rifftidesers who live in or near New York City have the opportunity this week to 
hear and see together two musicians who have often received favorable mention in Rifftides—and elsewhere. Here is the announcement from one of them, the multi-instrumentalist Scott Robinson.
Hello everybody.
Just wanted to let anyone who might be in New York know about the free duo concert I am doing this Wednesday with my dear friend and colleague Emil Viklický, who is making a rare stateside appearance from the Czech Republic. Emil is perhaps the most highly regarded pianist of his country and we have participated in many projects together, going back to the band we formed in college in 1977. Please come out if you can… Happy New Year to everyone!
Emil Viklický/Scott Robinson Duo
Wed., Jan. 5, 7:00 PM
Bohemian National Hall
Czech Center New York
321 E. 73 St., New York City
646-422-3399
You’ll notice that Mr. Robinson mentioned “free.” When is the last time you attended a free concert by two world-class musicians? For information about them and the hall, go here. To my regret, 3,000 miles of wintry distance prevent my being there. I’ll depend on Rifftides readers for their accounts.
Emil Viklický is from Prague, where my ancestors (Petranich), were born. I couldn’t make the concert but I spoke with him today and found him gracious, positive and full of curiosity about my music. I listened to a trio cut on his website and was mightily impressed by his sophistication, originality, virtuosity and his other musical accomplishments.
I offered him an opportunity to perform my jazz piano concerto, “Orbitals,” and he grabbed at the offer! He just finished composing a piano concerto. His colleague will perform his and Emil will perform mine in Prague later this year.
Rifftides put us together.