An unforgettable musical experience will be enhanced by the acoustics and history of the New Town Hall, where the concerts take place. Renaissance Great Hall with a total area of 260 m2, its history dates back to the time of Charles IV. in 1348, has a high wooden ceiling, a polished wooden floor, three huge columns and 16th century murals. You are located on the 1st floor of the east wing of the building and it is the largest room of this historical monument. In 1419, during the first defenestration in Prague, the mayor, two councilors and several burghers were thrown out of its windows, which started the Hussite revolution. At present, in addition to concerts, conferences, gala dinners, banquets and other events take place here. Courtyard is a picturesque outdoor space with a size of 330 m2 inside the complex of New Town Hall buildings paved with stone cubes, it is dominated by a stone fountain, a covered arcade and an original well. There used to be repairs here – the last one during the Nazi occupation (the last prisoner was Milada Horáková for a short time). Now there is a pleasant Café Neustadt with a garden, permanently placed in an exhibition of giant plaster pillows by sculptor Veronika Psotková, who use to sit similarly to the temporarily placed colorful statue of Alexandra Koláčková during the international sculptural Sculpture Line.
Many composers constantly surprise us with their works, many of which are well-known, but there are also forgotten pearls that are still waiting to be discovered. You will listen to them on September 18 at a concert called Known unknown performed by mesoprano Jana Hrochová and young baritone Robin Červinek, who are accompanied by song performers. Other instrumentalists will join them, including the award-winning pianist Bohumír Stehlík.
From ancient times, there is a well-known Roma musical talent, which you will be able to convince about during the unique concert of this year’s international Roma festival on July 11. Khamoro. The Great Hall of the Town Hall will host a phenomenal pianist Tomáš Kač and his guests – drummer Marek Urbanek guitarist Mara Cába, vsinger Eva Burešová and Veronika Kačová, Tomáš’s sister, will also perform here. Kač’s music is critically called the “sui generis” genre, as is his way of combining classical, jazz and traditional Roman original music.
July 22 is waiting for you Evening of famous melodies / Duo L´alba, during which the compositions of Ennia Morricone, G. Fauré, and JS Bach, among others, will be heard in a new guise of an unconventional combination of clarinet and guitar. The winner of the Prague Spring competition, the rising star of the Czech music scene, clarinetist Anna Paulová and guitarist and composer Lukáš Sommer, who made his debut at the famous Carnegie Hall this year, is a connection that offers an unconventional musical experience and a high level of interpretation. A unique evening also calls for a unique dramaturgy, so alongside the famous melodies, two world premieres will be heard, written directly for Duo L’alba.
Jazz lovers will also enjoy themselves. On July 24, the town hall will host a concert in the courtyard of the 19th year of the festival Jazz Bridge – Jazz bridge from Prague to the EU. Rudolf Mazač and his Kentonmania, Big Band will get you into the rhythm & 8 French horns & Martin Růža / Singing – Czech Republic. Rudi Mazač has been organizing Jazz Bridge since 2004 and founded the festival he was soon awarded the “Motor der Musik” prize by pan-European music associations. It also organizes concerts in the premises of the New Town Hall Music by P&Jare part of a concert series Jazz Meets World. For example, August 26 conjures up here from exotic inspirations to a musical kaleidoscope Uriel Herman and Itamar Borochov. The Israeli pianist and trumpeter combines a passion for beauty and discovery, so you look forward to a fascinating dialogue between jazz seekers.
On 15 September you are cordially invited to a concert by a charismatic Slovak musician, improviser, multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer MAOKA – Between heaven and earth. It will be an evening full of wonderful atmosphere and music that pampers, caresses the soul and heals. He is a sought-after international and regular guest at festivals and also a creator of film music (eg in Juraj Jakubisek’s film Bathory). Maok’s performance provided a whole spectrum of the innermost feelings and moods of a person, which touches something that is hidden inside each of us.
This year they are being held at the New Town Hall for the ninth time Stylish evenings with the Harmonia Praga string orchestra with artistic director, violinist Miroslav Vilímec and conductor Štefan Britvík. It’s on the summer program June 28 Inspiration in dance and song – baroque dances and virtuoso “Blue-eyed Girl” and 8. 9. Vivaldi this time without “Square” – and something else from Italy. The 12th year will also take place here this year New Town Chamber Music Festival NOVOFESTwhich will be launched 6. 9. a recital by Jan Mráček and Lukáš Klánský.
16. 9. you will be able to participate as well opening concert already the 31st International Classical Music Festival Young Prague / Young Prague supporting a young budding artist – instrumentalists, singers, chamber ensembles, conductors and composers. The association helps promising young beginning artists in the field of classical music – instrumentalists, singers, chamber musicians, conductors, but also composers.
The entire cultural program of the New Town Hall, all information about events and details can be found on the website: http://www.nrpraha.cz/program/