Karel Dohnal & Harlequin

A musical and theatrical fantasy based on the character of Harlequin, shaped by clarinet music and movement tailored specifically for the Masquerade Hall of Český Krumlov Castle. Stockhausen's Harlequin opens up a space where sound and body tell a shared story.

One character, one instrument, and an infinite number of transformations. Karel Dohnal, a clarinetist with the soul of an actor, brings a thrilling musical theater performance to the Masquerade Hall of Český Krumlov Castle: Harlequin by Karlheinz Stockhausen. This iconic 20th-century piece is not just a concert, but an entire story without words. Dohnal is not "just" a musician here, he becomes a being from another world who dances, narrates, jokes, and remains silent. Music and movement intertwine so closely in his performance that one does not even know where one ends and the other begins. Stockhausen's Harlequin is both a challenge and a game. A musical labyrinth that constantly changes before the eyes of the audience. Karel Dohnal masters it with ease and precision, giving it a human dimension. The result? A unique evening when the clarinet comes to life, and with it the entire hall.

Artists

Karel Dohnal - clarinet

Program

Karlheinz Stockhausen: Harlequin, St. 42

Karel Dohnal

Karel Dohnal is a laureate of major international competitions (Prague Spring, Rome, Bayreuth, etc.). He performs with PhilHarmonia Octet, Arundo Quartet, and the State Opera Prague. He teaches at the University of Ostrava and leads masterclasses in Europe and beyond. His album “Czech Music for Clarinet” was nominated for the Anděl Award. Dohnal appears with leading orchestras (e.g. Bamberg Symphony, Essen Philharmonic, Czech Radio Symphony) and renowned conductors such as Jakub Hrůša and Tomáš Netopil. His theatrical and physical artistry shines in roles like Stockhausen’s Harlekin and Hillborg’s Peacock Tales. He is a Selmer and D’Addario Woodwinds artist.