Prague Spring recommends from its programme
A quick orientation in the programme of more than fifty events of the upcoming Prague Spring Festival can be challenging, we understand! That’s why we’ve prepared a few tips where you can be sure not to make a mistake. Even if you want to choose a gift for your loved ones:
ORCHESTRA DI SANTA CECILIA & HRŮŠA
18. 5. 2024, The Municipal House – Smetana Hall
One of the best orchestras in the world under the baton of the most renowned Czech conductor of today
“We will witness a special interlacing of various cultures,” Hrůša informs us. “During the first half of the 20th century important European composers moved to America in order to find refuge and a place where they could work peacefully and find success – something which, for one reason or another, their native continent was not able to provide. Gershwin, on the other hand, drew inspiration from Europe (in France) and, equipped with knowledge of its best traditions, he became the founder of novel and authentic American music in his own country. In this wonderful programme we are hence bringing together the Czech environment, Italy, Russia, France and the United States of America.”
A WOMAN’S LOVE AND LIFE
16. 5. 2024, Rudolfinum – Dvořák Hall
Schumann’s famous song cycle for soprano and piano and songs by Scandinavian composers in a uniquely conceived programme full of deep emotion
“Ah, Clara, the bliss of writing songs!” wrote Robert Schumann in 1840 to Clara Wieck, who was shortly to become his wife. In that year he wrote 138 songs, among them the cycle Frauen-Liebe und Leben. Miah Persson decided to link Schumann’s cycle to songs by Nordic composers – Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Wilhelm Stenhammar and Gunnar de Frumerie, all of whom wrote musical settings to texts treating the same theme.
COLLEGIUM VOCALE GENT & HERREWEGHE
17. 5. 2024, Rudolfinum – Dvořák Hall
This icon of historically informed interpretation will present works by Italian masters from the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
At the Prague Spring the ensemble will appear as a 13-member vocal-instrumental group and, under their founder, choirmaster and conductor Philippe Herreweghe, they will perform a programme entitled Madrigals in Arcadia, which brings together secular works by Italian masters from the late 16th and early 17th centuries and draws inspiration from classical mythology.
PRAGUE SPRING DEBUT
21. 5. 2024, Rudolfinum – Dvořák Hall
Festival debut of conductor Jiří Habart, laureate of the prestigious British Donatella Flick Competition
The evening concert in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum will feature the youthful overture A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the German Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, the second suite from the popular incidental music Peer Gynt by the Norwegian composer Edvard Hagerup Grieg, and the haunting Dances from Galanta by Zoltán Kodály, a 20th century Hungarian classic. “Grieg’s suite with the famous Solveig’s Song will be my personal memory of the competition in London where I conducted it,” says Habart. “Dances from Galanta will transport us into the vortex of real czardas and other lively and poignant melodies of the Hungarian spirit.” conductor Jiří Habart, who was selected for this year’s prestigious Prague Spring Debuts programme, introduces the programme, which is dedicated to the most promising young conductors whose talent, qualities and artistic potential hold great promise for the future.
AMSTERDAM BAROQUE ORCHESTRA & CHOIR & KOOPMAN
2. 6. 2024, Rudolfinum – Dvořák Hall
Ton Koopman, one of the greatest authorities on Bach who, will together with his ensembles present three works in the genre.
The cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach reflect a richness of culture that has no parallel in European musical history: More than two hundred works filled with melodic invention, masterful polyphony, stirring choral writing and poignant arias which, to this day, continue to bring joy, inspiration and an occasion for reflection to musicians and audiences all over the world. The Prague Spring will this year host Ton Koopman, one of the greatest authorities on Bach who, together with his ensembles, will present three works in the genre.
