Orchestra

Orchestral Program

Orchestra musicians are invited to participate in a rigorous program with diverse repertoire and 9 public performances, including major orchestral concerts, chamber music, opera orchestra performances, masterclasses, and optional private lessons.

Participants will have the opportunity to perform symphonic programs in world-class venues and some of Europe’s most historic halls. These performances include three orchestral concerts, with music by Brahms, Dvořák, Mahler, and performances of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Le nozze di Figaro in the Estates Theatre, the only theater left standing where Mozart himself conducted.

Instrumentalists will have coachings and masterclasses from members of the festival faculty and visiting clinicians including members of professional European and American orchestras. Instrumental musicians may also have the opportunity to take private lessons with guest faculty, for an additional fee.

Orchestral Program Performances 2023

June 24 Divadlo Oskar Nedbal, Tábor

June 29 Mahler Festival, Jihlava

June 30 Burgher’s Hall, Pilsen

July 9 Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague

Chamber Music Performances
To be announced

Opera Performances at the Estates Theatre
July 13 & 15 Le nozze di Figaro, Mozart
July 14 & 16 Don Giovanni, Mozart

2023 Featured Soloists/Clinicians:

David Kim, Concertmaster, Philadelphia Orchestra

Walter Seyfarth, Clarinet, Berlin Philharmonic

Orchestral Repertoire Highlights Include:

  • Schubert Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”
  • Brahms Symphony No. 2
  • Dvorak Symphony No. 7 
  • Mahler Symphony No. 1 “Titan”

Program Highlights

  • Perform in the pit at the Estates Theatre
  • Orchestra performances in Tábor, Jihlava, Pilsen, and Prague
  • Chamber Music coachings and concert
  • Masterclasses with orchestral players from Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic

2022 Guest Clinicians

David Kim, Concertmaster, Philadelphia Orchestra

Borika Van Den Booren, First Violin, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Walter Seyfarth, Clarinet, Berlin Philharmonic

Tamás Varga,  Principal Cello, Vienna Philharmonic

Dominik Travnicek- Viola, Czech Philharmonic 

Eduard Sistek- Cello, Czech Philharmonic 

Martin Petrak- Bassoon, Czech Philharmonic 

Ondrej Vrabec- Principal Horn, Czech Philharmonic 

Ladislav Kozderka, Trumpet, Czech Philharmonic 

More Guest Artists TBA

 

Experience the World of Gustav Mahler

  • Visit Jihlava, Mahler’s childhood home and tour the Mahler family apartment. 
  • Perform at the Mahler Festival in Jihlava with guest conductor James Burton from the Boston Symphony.
  • Perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 at the legendary Rudolfinum in Prague, where Mahler regularly conducted.

 

Chamber Music at Prague Summer Nights

Prague Summer Nights intensive chamber music program will offer coachings with Prague Summer Nights faculty and visiting guest clinicians culminating in a performance in Prague. Students receive one-on-one mentorship from Europe’s top players to elevate their playing.

The program concludes in the acoustically brilliant Suk Hall at the Rudolfinum, where many of the world’s top chamber ensembles frequently perform.

NEW MUSIC

Select students will have the chance to coach with and perform new music by a living composer specially commissioned for Prague Summer Nights through the Classical Movements Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program. 

In 2018 select students premiered the string quartet The Remembered Song by acclaimed composer Greg Sandow.

In 2019 select students performed the string quartet with Trumpet by Czech Composer Sylvie Bodorová.

In 2022 PSN New Music program offers select students to work with and perform a new string quartet commissioned by renowned Czech composer Sylvie Bodorová. 

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