Orchestral Program
Orchestral ProgramOrchestra 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
Chamber Music at Prague Summer NightsPrague 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.