The Pizzazz of Prague’s Music Scene

Once the 14th century capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the city of Prague is a cultural delight; with plenty to offer travellers of all ages and from all walks of life. The bridges, parks and hills compliment the vast array of architectural styles prevalent throughout this Eastern European city and wherever you go there’s sure to be a tune to step out to. The Czech Republic’s capital city has a long standing love affair with music that will bring joy to the ears of music fans far and wide.

Music has been the lifeblood of Prague for many years with Mozart being one of the most well known musicians linked to the city. The world premiere of Mozart and Da Ponte’s Don Giovanni took place in Prague in 1787 and the popularity of Mozart’s music propelled the classical composer to celebrity status amongst the city’s people. The musician had a reciprocal feeling for the city and its people which manifested itself in the creation of Symphony No. 38 — a piece of music that Mozart dedicated to the city of Prague where he spent a lot of his time. The house Mozart lived in is now a museum and is well worth a look when visiting the city.

Prague is no stranger to accomplished musical talent and was also the birthplace of classical composers Anton and Bedrich Smetana. As well as classical music, Prague has much more to offer as the eclectic and thriving music scene proves. Jazz is a hugely popular musical genre which can be heard echoing around the city thanks to the ample street musicians and jazz bars. Tubas and trumpets are common sights and the city’s squares are popular spots for impromptu concerts to spring up.

Concerts are common fare and are found everywhere from the ordinary to the unusual. As evening descends churches double up as classical concert halls and you could find yourself anywhere from a palace to a tram museum and even the National Memorial — a hilltop mausoleum used as a music hall. A music lover’s city just wouldn’t be the same without festivals running throughout the year and Prague certainly delivers. The Prague Spring International Music Festival is renowned as one of the great post-war festivals. The Prague Festival runs in early autumn and presents the work of world famous classical music composers. An International Jazz festival adds a little variation to the mix and is a welcome addition to the month of October.

Arriving, getting around and staying in Prague is straightforward. The hotels in Prague are as varied as the music scene itself and offer a variety of options whether you want to be immersed in the hubbub of the city or fancy a quiet spot off the beaten track. Disclaimer: Matthew Pressman writes for a wide variety of commercial clients. This article is intended for information purposes only and readers should seek additional information before taking any actions based on its content.