Pražák at Hlahol 2026

October 25, 2026

Experience the unique sound of Czech chamber music in a truly extraordinary setting.

In 2025, the Pražák Quartet, renowned globally for their distinctive "uniquely Czech" sound, presented the inaugural "Pražák and Friends" Chamber Music Festival. During September and October, more than 500 guests joined us for five unforgettable unforgettable evenings, celebrating the rich heritage of Czech chamber music while forging new connections with international artists and unveiling exciting new works. Planning is now underway for the next Festival in 2027. While we are disappointed that we could not present a Festival this year, we wanted to do something at Hlahol which reminds us of the beautiful experience of the 2025 Festival and carries a promise of more to come in 2027. On October 25, 2026, we will be collaborating with friends to present an exciting concert highlighting viola quintets of Martinů and Mozart.

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

Our collaborators for this concert will be two esteemed violists. We are delighted to welcome:

Peter Sagaischek (Austria): Peter is an internationally acclaimed Austrian violist who has been the principal violist and a soloist with the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra for more than three decades. He is an active chamber musician, having performed with well established ensembles such as the Wiener Philharmonia Quintett, Toyota Master Players, the Gustav Mahler Quartet and the Austrian Baroque Company. He has also recorded extensively.
Eva Krestová (Czech Republic): Eva is the principal violist of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and is the winner of multiple prizes at international music competitions. She has performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Wigmore Hall and has recorded widely alongside appearances for the BBC, Czech Television and the Japanese broadcaster NHK. Eva is substituting for our founding violist Josef Klusoň, who has retired.