The Summer Season in Slavonice—An Extraordinary Year of Music Festivities Supported by Svoboda & Williams

In the third week of August, twenty Master Class students honed their talents under the leadership of the best lecturers, including those who play in the Vienna Philharmonic. “I’m happy that we’ve managed to raise the bar every year,” says violinist Milan Šetena, one of the founders of the event. “The organizing team gets bigger every year and enthusiastic supporters have joined us. Our latest members are the cellist Kristina Vocetková and violinist Matouš Pěruška from the trio Bohemo, which in just the four years of its existence has won more international awards than I can count.”

According to Šetena, interest in the classes and the quality of the students is only growing. “This year, going through the 60 applications from 21 different countries was very difficult. It was a tough choice because the level of proficiency of the applicants was so high,“ he adds. The amazing program attracts an ever growing audience from both sides of the border. “I’m delighted that, thanks to our support and promotion, we can bring attention to another exceptional international event, which enriches the cultural scene in Slavonice. I’m certain that we’ll continue to lend it our support,“ states Prokop Svoboda, one of the patrons of the Master Classes.

The format of the intensive summer prep classes led by experienced players is a regular part of the career path of aspiring musicians, and can significantly advance their careers. “The director of the successful Dvořákova Praha festival, Jan Simon, came to Slavonice to hear younger colleagues who are becoming more well-known,” says Milan Šetena. Nature was an added element in the final concert of the event held at the Slavonice Institute. “When lightning struck during Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 7 in C Minor, it was truly magical,” concludes Šetena.