Prague Symphony Orchestra: A musical tribute to Czech identity and heritage
The Prague Symphony Orchestra’s story is closely intertwined with the history of the Czech capital, and this connection is clearly reflected in their repertoire, which we feature on today's edition of our Sunday Music Show.
Following the success of their 2021 recording of Karel Husa's Music for Prague 1968 (Supraphon), the orchestra and its chief conductor have released another album dedicated to Prague. This new album focuses on the late 19th century, a time when the Czech nation was striving to preserve its language, culture, and identity within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
At the heart of the album are three major works: Suk’s monumental symphonic poem Praga, inspired by the Hussite chant “Ktož jsú Boží bojovníci”; Smetana’s Vyšehrad, from his famous Má vlast (My Country) cycle; and a lesser-known gem, The Tale of Šemík, an almost forgotten symphonic poem by nineteen-year-old Otakar Ostrčil, which also takes place in Vyšehrad.
Of course, then there’s Antonín Dvořák. Few of his works are as explicitly patriotic as the overture to My Home (which is also relatively unknown). This composition is based on the theme of the popular song Kde domov můj, which would later become the Czech national anthem. Another distinctive piece on the album is Dvořák’s Fanfare for the Prague Exhibition. Building on the success of their recording of the Slavonic Dances, the Prague Symphony once again demonstrates that the Czech late-Romantic repertoire is their native and most natural expression.
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