A few days before the beginning of spring, the CAMERATA, under the direction of Czech conductor Václav Luks, embarks on a journey back in time to Prague, to the flourishing music scene there in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Mozart, constantly striving for recognition in Vienna, experienced his happiest days as a musician during his three stays in the Bohemian capital. In the Prague orchestra, he found an excellent ensemble with which he successfully performed his highly complex, three-movement Symphony in D major, K. 504, which, according to music chronicler FX Niemetschek, has "such a fiery flow." Bohemia also boasted outstanding composers of its own, such as J.V. Voříšek, born in the year of Mozart's death and, like him, already in his mid-thirties. Voříšek's only symphony, with its no less "fiery" energy and colorful instrumentation, evokes a "Bohemian Beethoven." CAMERATA audience favorite François Leleux will also play the romantic, charming oboe concertino by Prague's JW Kalliwoda, with its horn-sounding introduction.

Season Concert Three: Spring in Prague

Mozarteum Foundation

Baborák Ensemble "plus"

"My Praguers understand me." Cast in bronze and mounted as a plaque on Prague's Estates Theatre, this expression of Mozart's affection for the Bohemian capital stands proud. While it's not documented whether he actually put it in these exact words, there is no doubt about his deep affection for Prague and its inhabitants. It must have been love at first sight when he first traveled to the Vltava in 1787 and received an exceptionally warm welcome.

Mozartfest Würzburg

Würzburg Residence

Alongside many smaller-scale pieces, the “Bohemian Beethoven” J.V.H. Voříšek left us a beautiful Symphony in D major, often compared with those by Beethoven himself, and the Grand Rondeau for piano trio and orchestra. Both show that although his footing was still firmly in the Classical era, he was ready to step out into the world of Romanticism – the same, indeed, applies to Beethoven.

Jan Václav Voříšek

Events

Upcoming events

6 - 8 Mar, 2026

Season Concert Three: Spring in Prague · Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum

Past events

6 - 8 Mar, 2026

Season Concert Three: Spring in Prague · Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum

Jan 30, 2026

Baborák Ensemble "plus" · Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum

About

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