Rudolfinum-Dvorák Hall

Recording of Prague Symphony Orchestra and Prague Philharmonic Choir in March 2005

FILMharmonic Orchestra recording of Brothers in Arms Photos courtesy of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and MUSA Ltd

True acoustic placement within the Dvorák Symphony Hall

The original Miroslav Vitous recordings were done by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in the famous Dvorák Hall in Prague.

This beautiful hall is located inside the Rudolfinum, and also serves as the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Dvorák Symphony Orchestra.

The Dvorák Hall, world renowned for its elegant acoustics and exceptional quality sound, was named after the great composer Antonín Dvorák (1841-1904).

Antonín Dvorák excelled as a highly revered and respected Czech composer in his day because of his European tours and his time in the United States.

His eloquent music embodied the Romantic period and the awakening of nationalism. His musical genius expressed itself in all genres: choral music (Stabat Mater, 1877), symphonic (The 9th “New World” Symphony”, 1893 and 5 symphonic poems), opera (Rusalka, 1900), concertos (Concerto for Violoncello, 1895), trios, quartets and quintets and the Slav Dances (1878).

The Dvorák name lends important significance to the Hall, as if it houses the true spirit of the composer. The Dvorák Hall is also called “The House of Artists”.

There are several concert halls in the Rudolfinum, the sumptuous Dvorák Hall ranking among the finest creations for 19th century Czech architecture.

Built between 1876 and 1884 in the neo-Renaissance style, it initially housed an art gallery and museum of decorative arts. It is an outstanding example of Czech Neo-Renaissance style.

The curving balustrade is decorated with statues of distinguished Czech, Austrian, and German composers and artists. This superior architectural design adds a fine quality to the acoustical elements of the hall, making them far more impressive and grand when compared to that of any other concert hall. The seating capacity is a little over 1100 seats.

From 1918 to 1939 the Dvorák hall was the seat of the parliament of the first Czech Republic. Today it is one of the city’s most prestigious concert halls and now the home of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Many of the major concerts of the Prague Spring music festival are held here.

The first concert given by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra took place on January 4th 1896 and was conducted by Antonín Dvorák at the Rudolfinum-Dvorák Hall.

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