Prague concert hall

Now in its 67^th year, the 2012 festival will be held from May 12 through June 4. It has long been considered one of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe. The celebration has always been an international one, featuring top conductors, composers and musicians from all over the world.

The festival is an evolving creative showcase, offering a mix of chamber orchestras, big bands, soloists and symphonies, while casting a special spotlight on Czech composers.

Concerts are held throughout the city in a variety of venues, such as the 19^th century neo-renaissance Rudolfinum, a sumptuous venue by the Vltava River. Other venues include acoustically perfect churches and abbeys, and Prague Castle’s own Italianate concert hall.

Certain traditions are always observed: since 1952 the festival has opened with a series of symphonic poems by Czech composer Bedrich Smetana, “Ma vlast (My Country),” and finished on the last night with Beethoven’s ninth symphony.

The celebration also celebrates special moments in the classical world, hosting performances of works by composers whose pieces have reached a milestone anniversary. Each year, audiences also enjoy the world premieres of contemporary works.

A violinist playing in Prague

Many classical music stars have performed or conducted over the years, such as Arthur Rubinstein, Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Mstislav Rostropovich, Lucia Popp, Sir Colin Davis, Maurice André, Sir Simon Rattle, Anne-Sophie Mutter and Leopold Stokowski. Since 1947, young musicians have also been welcome, for the Prague Spring Competition.

The festival, called simply “the Prague Spring,” was founded in 1946 as part of the celebration of the end of World War II and the Nazi occupation that has gripped the city for six long years.

The May 1990 festival was a similar time of celebration, coming seven months after the Velvet Revolution and the end of 40 years of communist rule in the country. The opening concert that year was a moment of joyful renewal of the Czech culture. Czech conductor Rafael Kubelik, also one of the founders of the Prague Spring, returned to his home country to conduct “Ma vlast”, performed under the magnificent Art Nouveau rotunda of the Smetana Hall.

While there, visit Prague Castle as well, and not only for its architectural beauty. Among the paintings by Brueghel and Canaletto and other priceless artwork you’ll find a score of “The Messiah” reorchestrated in Mozart’s hand.

Also preserved are original pages of Beethoven’s Fourth and Fifth symphonies, inscribed with the composer’s own corrections, annotations and signature. You will learn that Prince Joseph Lobkowicz was a leading patron of Beethoven.

Rudolfinum concert hall

Go to http://www.festival.cz/cz/program for the 2012 program, sporting stars such as the Dun Huang New World Ensemble, the Agon Orchestra, violinist Marianna Vasiljeva, pianist Arta Arnicane, Vasilij Petrenko conducting the Czech Philharmonic, Koji Kawamoto conducting the Pilsen Philharmonic, and Jakub Hrůša conducting the Prague Philharmonic. Tickets are available at http://www.festival.cz/cz.

Caroline Ryan is the author of An Old Castle Standing on a Ford: One Yank’s Life in an Almost Peaceful Belfast (Eloquent Books), a cultural narrative about life in Belfast after the Troubles. She writes often about intercultural issues, and currently writes for Pimsleur Approach, a leading seller of audio based language learning software, including learn to speak Brazilian Portuguese.

featured image by Loozrboy

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Lager

Most of the beer in Prague is lager. Most often, you’ll see Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser (no relation in taste or business to the American Budweiser), Budvar, Gambrinus, Kozel and Staropramen, most of which come in both light and dark varieties. Most pubs only serve one brand (just look for the sign), making your choice a little easier. For the freshest beer, look for tankovna (a tank pub), where the beer is unpasteurized and has a richer flavor.

Riegrovy Sady

In recent years, a few more options have been creeping up. Microbreweries like Pivovarksy Dum serve unusual varieties like banana beer and coffee beer, a nice change if you get tired of lager. In summer, there’s no better place to drink some Czech beer than in a beer garden, like Riegrovy Sady, located in a sprawling park near the Vinohrady district.

Goulash

For the most authentic beer-drinking experiences, avoid any place that lists the price in euros. In general, a .5l beer should cost about 30-40 kc, less than $2. In a traditional pub, just set your coaster in front of you and then beer will start coming until you stay stop. If it gets to be too much, soak up some of the alcohol with some hearty Czech food like a pork knuckle, goulash and dumplings, or some beer cheese served with fried bread.

Na zdravi!

When it comes time to toast, raise your glass, make eye contact with person you are toasting and say “Na zdravi.” Set your glass down for a second and then drink. Cheers!

Photo by swimparallel, lrumiha, burge5000, LWY, candescent

By Katie Hammel of BootsnAll

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