Prague Classical Orchestra: The Four Seasons in Municipal House
Prague, Municipal House (Obecní dum) — Smetana Hall
About the Event
Travel back in time with talented artists as they perform the classical music treasure A Little Night Music among other works by Mozart, Vivaldi and Pachelbel in Prague's stunning Municipal House Obecní dum.
The Municipal House is a popular Prague attraction and one of the most beautiful buildings in the Old Town, situated at Republic Square not far from the Powder Gate. In the Middle Ages the site housed the palace of the King of Bohemia,and was later used as a college, archbishop´s residence, and a military academy. The structure was eventually torn down, and in 1912 the new Municipal House was erected in the Art Nouveau style. Since opening, the Municipal House has been a glamorous location for festive balls, concerts, exhibitions and important meetings, including the declaration of Czechoslovak Independence in 1918.
Today the Municipal House is used primarily as a venue for classical concerts in Prague. Its main hall is named after famous Czech composer Bedrich Smetana, and serves as one of the principal stages for the Prague Spring International Music Festival. The hall can accommodate up to 1200 people and has unique acoustics. The architectural highlight of the Smetana Hall is a glass dome decorated with steel grids and stained glass, which is illuminated when darkness falls. A place of pilgrimage for many of the worlds greatest organists, the real jewel of the Municipal House is the great organ, its almost 5000 pipes crowned with Smetana´s portrait.
Program
- Johann Pachelbel – Canon in D Major
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – A Little Night Music
- Antonio Vivaldi – Four Seasons
Municipal House (Obecní dum)
Nestled in Prague's Old Town, the Municipal House stands as a renowned attraction, beautifully set in Republic Square by the Powder Gate. Originally the King of Bohemia's palace in the Middle Ages, this site has transitioned through various roles including a college, archbishop’s residence, and military academy. In 1912, the old structure was replaced with the new Municipal House, constructed in the Art Nouveau style. Since its inception, it has hosted lavish balls, concerts, exhibitions, and significant events like the Czechoslovak Independence declaration in 1918. Presently, the Municipal House predominantly hosts classical music concerts in Prague. Its main hall, named after the esteemed Czech composer Bedrich Smetana, stands as a key venue for the Prague Spring International Music Festival. This hall, which can hold up to 1200 guests, boasts exceptional acoustics. Its architectural crown is the Smetana Hall’s glass dome, adorned with steel grids and stained glass, casting a vibrant glow at night. Renowned globally amongst the finest organists, the highlight of the Municipal House remains the grand organ, featuring close to 5000 pipes and topped with Smetana’s portrait.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Undoubtedly one of history's pivotal figures in music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart graced the Austrian music scene in the late 18th century. His birth in 1756 in Salzburg marked the beginning of a life steeped in musical genius. Manifesting extraordinary talent from his early years, Mozart began composing at the tender age of five and created over 600 pieces, including concertos, symphonies, sacred compositions, and operas, all by the time he tragically passed away at 35. His profound impact resonated through the ages, prompting Ludwig van Beethoven to say of him, “posterity will not see such a talent again in 100 years.” Despite his monumental success and European wide recognition, Mozart struggled with financial instabilities throughout his life and was ultimately laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Vienna's St Marx Cemetery.
Antonio Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi left an indelible mark on music history as the innovator of the instrumental concert genre and the progenitor of orchestral music. Born on March 4, 1678, in the vibrant city of Venice, Vivaldi was a frail child plagued with asthma, yet he wholeheartedly embraced a life in music. His father, Giovanni Batista, a professional violinist, introduced Antonio, his eldest son, to the violin early on. Together with his father, the young Vivaldi encountered Venice’s foremost musicians, performing in local churches. He later served as a violin instructor and eventually as a music director at the Ospedalle della Pieta orphanage. During this period, he composed concertos, sacred compositions, and vocal pieces, gaining significant acclaim with his sacred choral music in 1713. Captured by the allure of opera, he became both an opera composer and impresario at Teatro San Angelo. In 1717, he secured a distinguished role at the prince’s court in Mantua as a director of secular music, where he composed his celebrated masterpiece, The Four Seasons, until around 1720. In the 1730s, Vivaldi's career began to wane as tastes in music shifted, leading to his death in obscurity. His compositions were forgotten for two centuries until a resurgence of interest in the early 20th century. Unearthed works unknown to previous generations won over the hearts of music aficionados, reinstating Vivaldi’s revered status in the classical music pantheon.
Johann Pachelbel
Johann Pachelbel, a German talent of the late 17th century, was not only a gifted composer but also an acclaimed organist. His work elevated the South German organ tradition to new heights. Often hailed as one of the middle Baroque period's foremost composers, Pachelbel excelled in a range of musical styles, including sacred and secular forms, chorale, and fugue. Today, his legacy is predominantly anchored by the iconic Canon in D, alongside other notable works such as the Chaconne in F minor and the Toccata in E minor for organ. His compositions are renowned for their clarity, simplicity, and the diverse array of forms, techniques, and instrumental collaborations they employ.
Address
Municipal House (Obecní dum), 5 Republic Square (Namesti republiky 5), Prague, Czech Republic — Google Maps
