Czech and Japanese artists will be connected through a concert across continents.
A Japanese pianist in Brno and a Czech percussionist in Osaka, playing at the same moment, hear each other with virtually no delay, as if they were performing together in the same room, their music merging into a perfectly synchronised harmony. This extraordinary experience will be offered from September 12 to 14 by the JAMU Faculty of Music to the audience of EXPO 2025 in Osaka and simultaneously at the Divadlo na Orlí in Brno. Thanks to the unique Czech MVTP technology, Japanese and Czech artists will share a single virtual stage, even though they are separated by over 12,000 kilometres — performing as if standing right next to each other.
No sound delay. Just perfect harmony.
Part of this entirely unique, composed performance is the world premiere of a piece written for EXPO 2025 by renowned Czech composer Martin Smolka. The work for vibraphone and piano will be performed by Prof. Martin Opršál and Japanese pianist Kento Satsuma.
The second part of the concert features saxophonist Pavel Zlámal and his colleagues, who will bring inspiration from Leoš Janáček’s music into their jazz improvisation. All performers are faculty members and students of the JAMU Faculty of Music.
Music breaks distances
The MVTP technology – Modular Video Transmission Platform – was developed by the CESNET association in cooperation with DISK Systems and supported by the Czech Technology Agency. MVTP enables the transmission of audio and video in the highest quality, with a delay measured in thousandths of a second and video resolution up to 8K. This allows for real-time musical interaction even over distances greater than 1,000 km.
Musicians can perform together in real time, as if standing side by side.
Since 2013, MVTP has evolved from a research project into an award-winning technology now used by leading conservatories and universities across Europe. In 2020, it received the Europa Nostra/Creative Europe award, and in 2022 it won the prestigious Czech Head (Česká hlava) award in the Industry category.
The performance “Threads of Vitality” will not only showcase elements of Leoš Janáček’s music and top-class performers but also highlight an innovative technology that transforms international collaboration, showing how music can become a bridge between cultures and continents.
Source: Janáček Academy of Performing Arts, author’s adaptations