CZ - PRAHA CZ - PRAHA

IX - 2006IX - 2006

Music – Music – Die MoldauDie Moldau, , Symphonic Poem Symphonic Poem by by BedrichBedrich Smetana Smetana

Formated byFormated by Delza Dias Ferreira - Delza Dias Ferreira - delzadfer@hotmail.comEnglish version byEnglish version by Flavio Musa de Freitas GuimarãesFlavio Musa de Freitas Guimarães

Praga,Praga,Czech’s Republic Capital is both a modern city and a true Architecture relic. Czech’s Republic Capital is both a modern city and a true Architecture relic.

Golden city, stone dream, magic city, hundred towers city, or Prague – the mother-Golden city, stone dream, magic city, hundred towers city, or Prague – the mother-city, are some of the epithets she is known for.city, are some of the epithets she is known for.

The Prague Castle The Prague Castle  (Pražský hrad) (Pražský hrad) is the largest castle of the world, whose s the largest castle of the world, whose construction begun in the 9th Century and embodies in its complex the imposing construction begun in the 9th Century and embodies in its complex the imposing StSt. Vitus Cathedral . Vitus Cathedral (katedrála sv. Víta), the oldest gothic cathedral in Europe.(katedrála sv. Víta), the oldest gothic cathedral in Europe.

Part of the city’s beauty is emphasized by the Vltava river way with its Part of the city’s beauty is emphasized by the Vltava river way with its

centennial bridges.centennial bridges.

When admiring this river waters and flow it’s easy to understand Bedrich When admiring this river waters and flow it’s easy to understand Bedrich Smetana’s root of inspiration for its symphonic poem – Smetana’s root of inspiration for its symphonic poem – Die Moldau Die Moldau (Vltava) – (Vltava) –

here used as musical background.here used as musical background.

Bedrich Smetana, one of the greatest Czechs composers of 19th Century, born in March 2, 1824 and dead at Prague in May 12, 1884, founded the Czech Music National School, and ascended as Conductor of Prague’s Opera Orchestra in 1866.

Liszt’s disciple, undergone Wagner’s

influence, and significantly

influenced the heavenly Antonin

Dvorák.In 1874, due to

syphilis deafness, dedicated himself, as Beethoven, only to

compose.In 1883 was interned

in a psychiatric hospital, where he

passed away.

The most outstanding of the city’s monuments – some over 10 centuries old – are located at the Old City’s downtown, along « Královská cesta »

« Královská cesta » stretches from the « Královská cesta » stretches from the Municipal HouseMunicipal House to the to the Prague Castle..Along way you can admire the famous Czech crystals commerce and, at Old Town Along way you can admire the famous Czech crystals commerce and, at Old Town

Square (Staroměstské náměstí), the famous astronomic « Orloj ».Square (Staroměstské náměstí), the famous astronomic « Orloj ». ..

The oldest part of Prague’s Orloj – The oldest part of Prague’s Orloj – that includes the mechanic clock and that includes the mechanic clock and the astronomic displayer – was built the astronomic displayer – was built

back in 1410.back in 1410.

The tradition of glass and crystal working at Czech Republic is known since the 1st

Century BC, although the large scale production dates from the 9th Century AC.

The Municipal House – scenery of Czechoslovakia’s independency proclamation in October 28, 1918 – houses the Smetana Concert Hall (Smetanova síň), the largest

theater hall of Prague. At his side sits the Powder Tower.

Inside Inside Municipal HouseMunicipal House (Obecní dům) you can find the elegant (Obecní dům) you can find the elegant French French

RestaurantRestaurant (Francouzksa Restaurace), one of the most stunning Art Nouveau (Francouzksa Restaurace), one of the most stunning Art Nouveau constructions in Europe.constructions in Europe.

Further on situates the splendid Further on situates the splendid Carlos BridgeCarlos Bridge (Karlův most), built in the (Karlův most), built in the middle 14th Century, with pillars decorated with about 30 baroque statues middle 14th Century, with pillars decorated with about 30 baroque statues

representing catholic Saints.representing catholic Saints.

Virgin Mary of Tyn, - Gothic Cathedral at the Old City (Staré Mesto) square Virgin Mary of Tyn, - Gothic Cathedral at the Old City (Staré Mesto) square

- beginnings of its construction in 1461.- beginnings of its construction in 1461.

St. Vitus’St. Vitus’ Cathedral joins together matchless treasures and its high gothic arches Cathedral joins together matchless treasures and its high gothic arches create a frame effect for the Mucha stained glassescreate a frame effect for the Mucha stained glasses..

The National Theatre (Národní divadlo) – the oldest professional theater of Czech Republic – was founded in 1920, after the creation of “Czechoslovakia”.

National MuseumNational Museum’s building, projected by Josef Schultz as a symbol of the ’s building, projected by Josef Schultz as a symbol of the “Czech National Revival”, houses the largest and oldest Czech museum.“Czech National Revival”, houses the largest and oldest Czech museum.

The inner staircases of the The inner staircases of the National MuseumNational Museum (Národní muzeum) building (Národní muzeum) building are a perfect acoustic space that, as so, constitutes a favorite place for are a perfect acoustic space that, as so, constitutes a favorite place for

traditional camera and coral concerts.traditional camera and coral concerts.

In Prague not only the architectural stiles are in perfect harmony but – as in the In Prague not only the architectural stiles are in perfect harmony but – as in the whole “Czechoslovakia” – its people perfectly balances the relaxed leisure whole “Czechoslovakia” – its people perfectly balances the relaxed leisure

enjoyment with intense cultural activity.enjoyment with intense cultural activity.

From this whole Czech tradition – that so well blends culture and joy in living – emerged enlightened geniuses such as Dvořák and Smetana in music as well as

Kundera and Kafka in literature.

Prague proudly honors its illustrious sons as in Prague proudly honors its illustrious sons as in

this statue of this statue of Franz KafkaFranz Kafka by Jaroslav Róna. by Jaroslav Róna.

But music occupies the most important place in the city, where each church, each But music occupies the most important place in the city, where each church, each

palace, offers, every night, the master composer’s melodies, transforming Prague in palace, offers, every night, the master composer’s melodies, transforming Prague in a gigantic concert hall at Moldau’s riverbank.a gigantic concert hall at Moldau’s riverbank.

… … and here, from the and here, from the National MuseumNational Museum, the orchestra goes on playing , the orchestra goes on playing Smetana for you…Smetana for you…

The EndThe End