The Dark Blue World of Jaroslav Ježek exhibition in the Historical Building of the National Museum was created on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the birth of this brilliant Czech composer. Even after more than eighty years, Jaroslav Ježek's music has not lost its energy, wit, and unmistakable rhythm. Through twelve thematic stops, the panel exhibition will guide you through his student years, the legendary era of the Liberated Theatre alongside Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich, and his life stage in American exile. It presents him not only as a jazz wizard but also as an extraordinary composer, pianist, and improviser.
In addition to family photographs and pictures of Ježek with friends, teachers, and personalities of the Liberated Theatre, scores from his student years, works for the Liberated Theatre, and from the American period, the exhibition's biggest attractions are authentic personal items that reveal how bravely Ježek fought his severe visual and hearing impairment. You will see his iconic round, black-rimmed glasses, which, however, served more to mask his poor eyesight, or the monocular telescope he used to navigate space. Unique documents include his student ID, report cards, a testimonial from Josef Suk, and fingerprints from his US visa application. The exhibition also reveals the dramatic story of his masterly Piano Sonata, which mysteriously disappeared in the USA right before an international music festival.
Furthermore, the exhibition is interactive and engages the sense of hearing – using QR codes, you can play a special playlist right on the spot featuring Ježek's most famous compositions, such as 'The Three Policemen' (Tři strážníci), as well as absolute rarities – for example, a surviving recording of a rehearsal with a workers' choir in New York.