Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, Dvořák's waltzes and Grieg's Holberg Suite in the Art Nouveau splendor of Smetana Hall in Prague's Municipal House.
The Municipal House in Prague was built at the place of the former Royal Court in 1912 to celebrate the Czech nation and has been one of the most significant public buildings in Prague for over a hundred years. It is a representative building which for its splendor and beautiful decorations is one of the jewels of Prague architecture. Although the building is usually described as an "Art Nouveau" edifice it is more of a blend of neo-Baroque, neo-Renaissance, western and oriental influences and Czech Art Nouveau style. This representative building is, above all, a great venue for classical music concerts and one of the prime venues of the world-famous Prague Spring Festival.
Representative Smetana Hall was the site of the independent Czechoslovak Republic declaration in 1918. Nowadays it serves predominantly as a concert hall. Beautiful Art Nouveau decorations – paintings with Slavic motifs, decorative stained glass ceiling, gilded lamps, beautiful organ – all this creates an unusually harmonious whole and a fitting stage for the greatest treasures of Czech and world classical music.
Program
E. Grieg – Holberg Suite for Strings, Op. 40
I. Praeludium
II. Sarabande
III. Gavotte
IV. Air
V. Rigaudon
A. Dvořák – Two Waltzes, Op. 54
I. Moderato
II. Allegro
P. I. Tchaikovsky – Serenade for Strings, Op. 48
I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina
II. Valse
III. Élégie
IV. Finale (Tema russo)
Performed by
Prague Music Chamber Orchestra (8-11 members)
This ensemble comprises renowned musicians who play in leading orchestras such as the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra. The Prague Music Chamber Orchestra excels with its unique, sophisticated sound and represents a highly valued form of interpretative art.
Soloists (violin, alternating):
Vlastimil Kobrle – former concertmaster of the Suk Chamber Orchestra and soloist of the New Prague Collegium Radio Symphonists
Petr Zdvihal – concertmaster of the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ondřej Skopový – former member of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and second violinist of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, member of the Prague Royal Orchestra, the Berg Chamber Orchestra, the Talich Chamber Orchestra and the Prague Collegium
Jan Mráček – winner of the Fritz Kreisler International Competition in Vienna and holder of the second prize at the Prague Spring International Competition
Important Information
Duration: 60 minutes, no intermission
Dress code: casual
Discounts: students (16-26 with a valid student card) and seniors (65+); children 6-15 at a reduced rate, children up to 5 are admitted free of charge