The drive doesn’t end. He has a new song, will play with the symphony and plans other activities

“The drive never ends, that’s for sure. There will be some more concerts. We have material for new songs and maybe a new record will be released,” said singer and bassist Jožo Ráž. “You know, I love the stage and the audience. They give me great strength and I depend on them.”

The new composition is called Znova sa ma dotekni and its author is Elánu’s long-time keyboardist Ľubo Horňák. The text was written by Juraj Soviar.

“If that song helps people the way it helped me, then no loss is a loss and nothing in life is over. Five years ago, I lost a very close person, and that loss has now been transformed into this song,” explained Hornák, adding that it is a very personal song.

Jožo Ráž: We live, so we have to play

Music

A lyric video was shot for it, which will be published in the next few days. The song is already on streaming platforms.

Elán last performed in 2018, when he concluded his Czechoslovak indoor and open air tour in the sold-out Prague O2 arena. He then announced the end of his work on the stages. Jožo Ráž justified his departure by saying that he wanted to quit. But now the band is already planning another performance.

“I mean everything I say. That was the situation back then,” Ráž explained.

On the threshold of autumn this year, Elán will play in Prague and Bratislava. In the Czech capital on September 20 and 21, in Slovakia on September 27 and 28. Performances with the symphony orchestra were added to these concerts. It will take place in Bratislava on September 29 this year and in Prague on February 7 next year.

“For more than fifty years, my teammates have encouraged me to combine the music of Elán with symphonies. I always rejected it, I didn’t feel that way. Now, at the end of his career, is probably the best time to show up even in such a composition. According to the first tests, I conclude that it will be great,” said Ráž. “The strings and brass add even more power and energy to Élan’s music.”

“It will be our classic rock concert accompanied by a symphony orchestra. We work on compositions every day and it sounds really great. It will be an experience not only for the fans, but also for us,” adds guitarist and singer Ján Baláž, adding that the band carefully selected the ensemble that will perform Elána’s songs.

She chose the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague with chief conductor Martin Šanda. The orchestra completed several European tours with Deep Purple, Europe or Alice Cooper. He also collaborated with the Spanish opera singer José Carreras and the British-Singaporean violinist Vanessa Mae.

The first rehearsals have already taken place, we even met in the studio. We are preparing the arrangements with Ľub Horňák,” Šanda explained. “We don’t want to break the image and rock sound of Elán with the new arrangements,” added Horňák. “I believe we will be able to spring a surprise.”

Young Pavol Bartovic is a new member of Elán. He is currently a member of the band Modus with guitarist Ján Baláž. He joined the lineup to become the second keyboard player.

“I’m glad that Elán contacted me. He is a Czechoslovak legend, so when the musicians asked me if I was going to do it, it was clear to me that such an offer would not be rejected,” said Bartovic. “However, I am not coming as a replacement for Your Patejdl. He is irreplaceable, we all know that.”

He will start rehearsing with the band at the end of May.

The group Elán was founded in 1968. They have released fifteen studio albums, five English albums and a number of compilations. Her concert in Prague on Letná was seen by a hundred thousand fans. In 2007, she played in New York’s Carnegie Hall.

The pillars of the band are Jožo Ráž (vocals, bass guitar) and Ján Baláž (vocals, guitar). One of the founders of the band Vašo Patejdl (keyboards, vocals) died last August.

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