CZ PRAHA

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CZ - PRAHA IX - 2006 Music Die Moldau,
Symphonic Poem by Bedrich Smetana
Formated by Delza Dias Ferreira -
delzadfer_at_hotmail.com English version by Flavio
Musa de Freitas Guimarães
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Praga, Czechs 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-city, are some of the
epithets she is known for.
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The Prague Castle  (Praský hrad) is the largest
castle of the world, whose construction begun in
the 9th Century and embodies in its complex the
imposing St. Vitus Cathedral (katedrála sv.
Víta), the oldest gothic cathedral in Europe.
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Part of the citys beauty is emphasized by the
Vltava river way with its centennial bridges.
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When admiring this river waters and flow its
easy to understand Bedrich Smetanas root of
inspiration for its symphonic poem Die Moldau
(Vltava) here used as musical background.
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Liszts disciple, undergone Wagners 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.
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 Pragues Opera Orchestra in 1866.
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The most outstanding of the citys monuments
some over 10 centuries old are located at the
Old Citys downtown, along  Královská cesta 
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 Královská cesta  stretches from the Municipal
House to the Prague Castle. Along way you can
admire the famous Czech crystals commerce and, at
Old Town Square (Staromestské námestí), the
famous astronomic  Orloj . .
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The oldest part of Pragues Orloj that includes
the mechanic clock and the astronomic displayer
was built 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.
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The Municipal House scenery of Czechoslovakias
independency proclamation in October 28, 1918
houses the Smetana Concert Hall (Smetanova sín),
the largest theater hall of Prague. At his side
sits the Powder Tower.
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Inside Municipal House (Obecní dum) you can find
the elegant French Restaurant (Francouzksa
Restaurace), one of the most stunning Art Nouveau
constructions in Europe.
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Further on situates the splendid Carlos Bridge
(Karluv most), built in the middle 14th Century,
with pillars decorated with about 30 baroque
statues representing catholic Saints.
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Virgin Mary of Tyn, - Gothic Cathedral at the Old
City (Staré Mesto) square - beginnings of its
construction in 1461.
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St. Vitus Cathedral joins together matchless
treasures and its high gothic arches create a
frame effect for the Mucha stained glasses.
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The National Theatre (Národní divadlo) the
oldest professional theater of Czech Republic
was founded in 1920, after the creation of
Czechoslovakia.
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National Museums building, projected by Josef
Schultz as a symbol of the Czech National
Revival, houses the largest and oldest Czech
museum.
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The inner staircases of the National Museum
(Národní muzeum) building are a perfect acoustic
space that, as so, constitutes a favorite place
for traditional camera and coral concerts.
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In Prague not only the architectural stiles are
in perfect harmony but as in the whole
Czechoslovakia its people perfectly balances
the relaxed leisure enjoyment with intense
cultural activity.
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From this whole Czech tradition that so well
blends culture and joy in living emerged
enlightened geniuses such as Dvorák and Smetana
in music as well as Kundera and Kafka in
literature.
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Prague proudly honors its illustrious sons as in
this statue of Franz Kafka by Jaroslav Róna.
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But music occupies the most important place in
the city, where each church, each palace, offers,
every night, the master composers melodies,
transforming Prague in a gigantic concert hall at
Moldaus riverbank.
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and here, from the National Museum, the
orchestra goes on playing Smetana for you
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The End