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Roll over, Beethoven

A new Bertramka series offers an inventive pairing of composers

By Frank Kuznik
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
May 2nd, 2007 issue

COURTESY PHOTO
The lineup features the country's best string ensembles, including the Talich Quartet, above, playing May 30.
A new concert season is under way at Bertramka, the Smíchov villa that was Mozart’s home away from home when he visited Prague. This year, it offers a marvelous centerpiece: a series running through mid-July that features the complete string quartets of both Mozart and Beethoven, performed by some of the finest chamber ensembles in the Czech Republic.
The series is the brainchild of Bertramka director Lenka Pokorná, who says the idea of pairing the disparate composers was at first greeted with skepticism. “People said to me, ‘How can you put Mozart and Beethoven on the same program?’ ” Presumably the skeptics missed the many anniversary programs last year in which Mozart was paired with Shostakovich, with no apparent ill effect. But, in this case, there are some real connections between the two legendary European composers.
Mozart Meets Beethoven

Bennewitz Quartet
When: Wednesday, May 2, at 5
Where: Bertramka
Tickets: 250–450 Kč, available at the venue

Graff Quartet
When: Thursday, May 10, at 5 p.m.
Where: Bertramka
Tickets: 250–450 Kč, available at the venue

For a complete schedule, check
www.bertramka.com

The Prague tie is Bertramka, the owners of which, František and Josefina Dušek, were generous hosts to many 18th-century artists. While there is no evidence that Beethoven and Mozart met there, both men were acquaintances of the Dušeks and both composed arias for Josefina. Beethoven visited Mozart in Vienna, where they also shared a patron, Prince Karl Lichnowsky. And it’s no exaggeration to say that both composers opened up dramatic new possibilities for string quartets.
It will be difficult to trace the development of their work in this series, as the pieces are not being performed chronologically. But the trade-off is the first-rate lineup of string ensembles, the availability and repertoires or which dictated the schedule. “It was quite tricky, trying to arrange the schedule and sort out who would perform what,” Pokorná says. “But the groups were all excited about the idea and wanted to be part of it.”
The lineup includes stellar groups such as the Talich, Kocián, Stamitz and M. Nostitz quartets. Younger ensembles including the Zemlinský, Herold, Bennewitz and Epoque quartets are also on the bill. Even the excellent Schulhoff Quartet, four Czech musicians who spend most of their time in Vienna, has been booked for concerts in May and June.
“This is a change for Bertramka,” notes Pokorná, who has been working hard to beef up the museum’s concert schedule. A popular tourist destination, Bertramka has traditionally offered adequate but lightweight music programs that keep visitors happy but have never attracted serious local talent — or crowds. This is a quantum leap forward. “It’s great, not only for tourists, but for serious music lovers,” Pokorná says.
And the “Mozart meets Beethoven” series is only part of a larger schedule that includes some real gems. Next week, the Graff Quartet is coming from Brno with a world premiere by the Czech composer Miloš Štědroň. That is one of five concerts co-sponsored this season by EuroArt Praha, all of which will include contemporary works. Premier musicians such as pianist Ivo Kahánek and violinist Ivan Ženatý, who are playing in Prague Spring this year, will also make appearances.
One thing won’t change: Every program has to include at least one piece by Mozart. “We are respecting the tradition of Bertramka,” Pokorná says. “But, to be honest, in previous programs that featured Mozart and his father, or Mozart and his son, the music all sounded very similar. This year, we keep Mozart but offer some interesting contrasts.”
Whatever is on the bill, it always sounds good at Bertramka, one of the sweetest spots in the city to hear a concert. Set in a lush green cul-de-sac removed from the bustle and noise of the city, it’s like a well-maintained time capsule where classical music has a special resonance. And, whether the concerts are indoors or out on the terrace, the intimate settings offer a wonderful opportunity to see the fine interplay of small ensembles up close.
Beethoven and Mozart are throwing a garden party. Do yourself a favor and join them.

Frank Kuznik can be reached at fkuznik@praguepost.com


Other articles in Night & Day (2/05/2007):

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