A musical stroll

Berliner Philharmoniker Our partner Deutsche Bank

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Published on: 14.05.2024

Übersicht

The orchestra has a free morning on Monday, and time for a special kind of hike. Contra bassoonist Václav Vonášek grew up in the Czech Republic, has lived in Prague for a long time, and takes some of his colleagues on a tour along the various stages of Smetana’s “My Fatherland”.

First stop: the Vyšehrad fortress. The legendary Bohemian rulers once resided in this castle. | Picture: Stephan Rabold

At the cemetery, you can visit the graves of great Czech composers Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana, among others. | Picture: Stephan Rabold

You also have a fantastic view of the protagonist of the second movement of Smetana’s “Má Vlast” from here ... | Picture: Stephan Rabold

... the Vltava river! | Picture: Stephan Rabold

We continue towards the third movement. | Picture: Stephan Rabold

It tells the story of warrior maiden Šǎrka, who tricks hated Czech squire Ctirad into falling in love with her. | Picture: Stephan Rabold

Then the tale takes a less romantic turn - when Šǎrka and her girlfriends slaughter the sleeping Ctirad, along with his hechmen. | Picture: Stephan Rabold

For a little refreshment after all that gore, we retreat back to the dancing water nymphs of the Moldau. Through all the history and folklore, the Vltava runs broad and strong. | Picture: Stephan Rabold

And that was just the first three movements of Smetana’s symphony! There are still three left... | Picture: Stephan Rabold

We’ll just have to come back to Prague! | Picture: Stephan Rabold

All good things come in pairsPrevious article

Another wonderful evening in Prague.

The opening concertNext article

The Berliner Philharmoniker and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko open the “Prague Spring” Festival 2024 with Smetana’s “Má Vlast”.