Svoboda & Williams the Partner of a New Classical Music Festival—Pražák and Friends

The ensemble, ranked internationally as one of the best in the world, is renowned for its unmistakable Czech sound. For five decades, the quartet has played regularly in European cities, toured extensively in North America, and released over 60 CDs. Now, the musicians have decided to share with their home audience the magic of their exceptional encounters and collaborations, which they had the pleasure of enjoying during their long careers.

“Every year, we invite guests to Prague and play pieces that listeners wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to hear, making the season even more special,” says cellist Jonáš Krejčí. This year, for example, is the world premiere of the string quartet To an Estranged Soul by the young Dutch composer of Czech origin Tomáš Prechal. “Contemporary classical music can sometimes be difficult for listeners to access, but Tomáš's quartet captivates listeners with its lightness and connection to Moravian folk music,“ adds Krejčí.

For the festival, Pražák and Friends have organized evenings that listeners will enjoy fully and deeply. In addition to musical experiences, they will also offer tastings of appellation wines from Czech vineyards. “We are delighted to present to classical music lovers a unique venue in a new light: the Hlahol choir hall with its glass ceiling and lunette by Alfons Mucha, which lends concerts a special atmosphere. We believe that the festival will become a permanent fixture of Prague’s cultural autumn,“ Krejčí hopes. 

“I consider it a great honor that Svoboda & Williams is now a partner of this festival. Classical music has a long tradition in our family—my grandfather was a flutist with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and my mother was a member of the Prague Philharmonic Choir and also sang in the National Theater. She still works as a music teacher today. That is why this collaboration is so dear to my heart,” adds Prokop Svoboda, managing partner of Svoboda & Williams.