Pražák and Friends at Hlahol 2025
A Chamber Music Festival
An inaugural concert series from September 28, 2025 - October 25, 2025
Experience the unique sound of Czech chamber music in a truly extraordinary setting.
The Pražák Quartet, renowned globally for their distinctive "uniquely Czech" sound, proudly presents the inaugural "Pražák and Friends" Chamber Music Festival. Join us in 2025 for a series of unforgettable evenings, celebrating the rich heritage of Czech chamber music while forging new connections with international artists and unveiling exciting new works.
Our vision: Bridging worlds, sharing cultural history
This festival is born from a dual passion. As we tour internationally, we are privileged to collaborate with truly exceptional musicians. The "Pražák and Friends" festival offers us the unique opportunity to bring these esteemed colleagues to our beloved Czech Republic, allowing our local audiences to share in the magic of these global collaborations.
Our second inspiration is the magnificent venue itself: Hlahol Hall. This true Art Nouveau jewel, designed by Josef Fanta at the turn of the 20th century for the Hlahol Singing Society, is a testament to architectural poetry. With a history graced by figures like Bedřich Smetana (one of its first choirmasters) and Josef Mánes (who created its iconic banner), Hlahol Hall boasts a spectacular mural by Alfons Mucha titled "Czech Song." We believe this exquisite space is an underutilized treasure for chamber music, and through this festival, we aim to reignite interest in its acoustic and aesthetic splendor, establishing it as a vibrant home for future chamber music events.
Collaborations and World Premieres
Our 2025 festival comprises five distinct concerts, four of which feature our esteemed collaborators. We are thrilled to welcome:
François Dumont (France): An internationally acclaimed pianist whose career soared after prize-winning successes at competitions including the 16th International Chopin Competition. A seasoned soloist, Dumont also deeply values chamber music collaboration.
Kelley O’Connor (USA): A Grammy Award-winning American mezzo-soprano, recognized as one of the most compelling vocal artists of her generation. Having recently joined us for our November 2024 West Coast USA concert, we immediately knew she had to be a part of our inaugural festival.
Anna Paulová (Czech Republic): A rising star in the clarinet world, laureate of numerous Czech and international clarinet competitions, and a recent winner of the Jiří Bělohlávek Prize. Beyond her solo career, Anna is a passionate chamber musician.
A special highlight of the festival will be the performance of new compositions either arranged or written specifically for the Pražák Quartet:
Experience the Czech premiere of Kongsgaard Variations by the important Swedish composer Anders Hillborg (1954).
Witness the world premiere of a new String Quartet written for us by Tomáš Prechal, the son of a Czech father who emigrated to the Netherlands after 1968.
The concluding concert will feature a unique arrangement of Antonín Dvořák's beloved Cypresses, specially tailored for Kelley O'Connor and the Pražák Quartet by Jiří Gemrot.
Festival Program
Sunday, September 28, 2025: Opening Concert Pražák Quartet + Anna Paulová (clarinet)
Josef Suk: Meditation
Antonín Dvořák: String Quartet Op. 96 "American"
W. A. Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, KV 581
Saturday, October 4, 2025 Pražák Quartet
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 64 No. 5 "The Lark"
Bedřich Smetana: String Quartet No. 2 in D minor
Antonín Dvořák: String Quartet Op. 105 in A flat major
Saturday, October 18, 2025 Pražák Quartet + Kelley O'Connor (mezzo-soprano)
Ottorino Respighi: Il tramonto
Anders Hillborg (1954): Kongsgaard Variations (Czech premiere)
Antonín Dvořák: Cypresses for mezzo-soprano and string quartet (arranged for Kelley O'Connor and the Pražák Quartet by Jiří Gemrot)
Friday, October 24, 2025 Pražák Quartet + Kelley O'Connor (mezzo-soprano) & François Dumont (piano)
Erich Korngold: Abschieds Lieder
Edward Grieg: Haugtussa
George Crumb: Three Early Songs
Henri Duparc: Selected Songs
Ernest Chausson: Chanson Perpétuelle Op. 37
Saturday, October 25, 2025: Closing Concert Pražák Quartet + François Dumont (piano)
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 95 "Serioso"
Tomáš Prechal: String Quartet (world premiere - dedicated to the Pražák Quartet)
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quintet Op. 81