Prague Journal

Wednesday, January 05, 2005.

This evening we went to hear the Prague Symphony Orchestra at Smetana Hall in the Municipal House. The orchestra is now in its 70th year; it began its jubilee season last fall with an open-air performance at the Old Town Square. This evening’s concert featured Dvorak’s New World Symphony – better than any recording I’ve ever heard – and Chopin’s concerto (No. 2) for orchestra and piano with soloist Navah Perlman. She alone was worth the price of admission. Of course, Chopin, when done well, is always a joy for me.
We had gone to the concert with Howard and Marketa, and the four of us had dessert downstairs in the art nouveau café after the performance. Howard just returned from Hong Kong and Shanghai (with a new tailored suit) and had lots of stories to tell. He and Marketa are planning a trip to South Africa next month, so Rick was eager to tell them about our trip there seven years ago. I am happy to be in Prague, but I wouldn’t mind a little bit of South Africa’s sunshine just now!

posted by JWinn @ 11:26 PM