Prague Journal

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Where but Prague can one go to a take in a chamber concert of the highest quality and musicianship, while seated in a lovely and historic drawing room holding at most 60 people, on virtually any day of the week? This evening’s concert was at Bertramka Manor, summer residence of František Dušek, where Mozart stayed while he completed the Don Giovanni opera (and other arias). The building now houses the Mozart Museum and holds concerts twice a week from April through October. (In the summer months, the concerts are held outside in the garden, rather than inside.) Tonight’s program was a cello and piano duet of Debussy, Mozart and Beethoven. The pianist’s fingers skated across the keys and her body language expressed her musical passion. The soulful cello notes blended completely with the piano, so at times there was only one rich and penetrating sound.
Our dinner, in keeping with the spirit of the evening, was at the Stoleti (“Century”) Restaurant in Old Town, near the old cloisters, now a hotel, aptly named the Cloister Inn.
We walked across the Charles Bridge – a lovely walk day or night – to the Lesser Town Square to catch an easy tram up the hill to our neighborhood and the short busride home. Lovely weather this evening. Sadly, it won’t last long.

posted by JWinn @ 8:53 PM