Concerts in Prague: Dvořák's Prague 2008: Artemis Quartet

Tickets to a classical music recital in Prague, Czech Republic, featuring the Artemis Quartet performing in the beautiful Dvořák Hall of the famous Rudolfinum.

This concert is part of the Dvořák's Prague 2008 classical music festival.

Performer: Artemis Quartet - Natalia Prishepenko (violin); Gregor Sigl (violin); Friedemann Weigle (viola); Eckart Runge (cello)

Programme:
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet in C minor Op. 18, No. 4
Jörg Widmann: String Quartet No. 1
Franz Schubert: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor D 810 "Death and the Maiden"

DVOŘÁK'S PRAGUE FESTIVAL 2008
Although in the course of Antonín Dvořák's lifetime (* 8 Sept 1841 - † 1 May 1904) his compositions were included in the concert programs of renowned orchestras and concert halls in Europe, North America and Australia, even at the height of his fame Dvořák considered himself to be first and foremnost a Czech.

He returned to Prague from his numerous successful trips abroad; in Prague he was actively involved in major institutions like the Conservatory or the Royal Czech Society of Sciences, and he played a leading role in the establishment of the Czech Philharmonic. Dvořák conducted the orchestra's first concert on 4 January 1896.

We firmly believe that the topics of Antonín Dvořák & Prague and Dvořák & Central Bohemia are subjects with an international context, yet at the same time is absolutely Czech.

Dvořák moved to Prague in 1857, when he started to study music at Organ School and played the violin in the Cecilia Society, Karel Komzák's band and the orchestra of the Provisional Theater. In 1871 he dedicated himself solely to composing.

Although the bases of his artistic and family life were in Prague - from 1877 till the end of his life he lived at Žitná street no. 14 with his large family whom he loved over all else - Dvořák belongs to all of Central Bohemia. He was born in Nelahozeves, a village near Kralupy nad Vltavou, on 8 September 1841; in Zlonice he undertook an apprenticeship as a butcher and acquired a musical education from his teacher, Antonín Liehmann; Dvořák found his second home in Vysoká u Příbrami, where he spent his summers.

Vysoká truly meant much for a man as fundamentally tied to the Bohemian countryside and with simple people who disliked pomp and splendor. It was here where Dvořák took refuge to avoid his 50th and 60th birthday celebrations in Prague.

The focus of the festival is to promote the works and live of Antonín Dvořák in Prague and, at a later date, in Central Bohemia.

An equally important focal point is to turn Prague and Central Bohemia into an arena of international artists who come to the city and region to play the works of Antonín Dvořáka.

Antonín Dvořák is an international genius.