A visit to Prague (by request)

[LONDONER]

But have never visited those places. It seems that because I live here, I tend to think that I can postpone the visit...

That's something very common. I lived in London until I was 21 and there are masses of places I have never seen in the city. I go back periodically and earlier this year I went on two guided walking tours of the City. The first one was about graffiti and the secomd one was in the steps of Jack the Ripper. There are so many things to see in London as I am sure there are in Prague.

[LONDONER]

no, that's a one of many many types of crystal glass ceiling lamps.

Well, it's an original lamp and far removed from the over ornate chandeliers that I saw in some of the shops. Those would fit in perfectly in some of the beautiful old houses but I am an advocate of mixing the modern with the new.

[Nick9]

Well, it's an original lamp and far removed from the over ornate chandeliers that I saw in some of the shops. Those would fit in perfectly in some of the beautiful old houses but I am an advocate of mixing the modern with the new.

like this one, huh?



and

[LONDONER]

Yes, that's the sort of thing. They're beautiful in the right setting.

[LONDONER]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]I know why this post disappeared off the map so quickly. Not many people would have the patience to read through such a missive. However, I want to come back to one point.

I mentioned that it was such a pity that there were so many concerts in Prague but they were all basically the same, almost all of them included Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", obviously catering to the limited knowledge of the average tourist. I mentioned that it must be pure torture for the good Czech musicians to have to play the bsame thing over and over again.

Prague should really re-think it's policy. I have lived through the era of Spain's "Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap" policy and seen the damage that it has done to the country and the infrastructure. I would really not like to see the Czech Republic go down that same road and I believe that they really should start to cater for quality tourism.

I presume that the orchestras are not that big so they could not for instance tackle LeoÅ¡ Janáček's "Taras Bulba" but I would willing have paid quite a lot to have heard one or both of his string quartets. Now that would have been something; to hear a Czech composer played in his homeland by Czech musicians.

[LONDONER]

I know why this post disappeared off the map so quickly. Not many people would have the patience to read through such a missive. However, I want to come back to one point.

I mentioned that it was such a pity that there were so many concerts in Prague but they were all basically the same, almost all of them included Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", obviously catering to the limited knowledge of the average tourist. I mentioned that it must be pure torture for the good Czech musicians to have to play the same thing over and over again.

Prague should really re-think it's policy. I have lived through the era of Spain's "Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap" policy and seen the damage that it has done to the country and the infrastructure. I would really not like to see the Czech Republic go down that same road and I believe that they really should start to cater for quality tourism.

I presume that the orchestras are not that big so they could not for instance tackle Leoš Janáček's "Taras Bulba" or his "Sinfonetta" but I would willing have paid quite a lot to have heard one or both of his string quartets. Now that would have been something; to hear a Czech composer played in his homeland by Czech musicians.

[princealbertofb]

I know why this post disappeared off the map so quickly. Not many people would have the patience to read through such a missive. However, I want to come back to one point.

I mentioned that it was such a pity that there were so many concerts in Prague but they were all basically the same, almost all of them included Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons", obviously catering to the limited knowledge of the average tourist. I mentioned that it must be pure torture for the good Czech musicians to have to play the bsame thing over and over again.

Prague should really re-think it's policy. I have lived through the era of Spain's "Pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap" policy and seen the damage that it has done to the country and the infrastructure. I would really not like to see the Czech Republic go down that same road and I believe that they really should start to cater for quality tourism.

I presume that the orchestras are not that big so they could not for instance tackle Leoš Janáček's "Taras Bulba" or his "Sinfonetta" but I would willing have paid quite a lot to have heard one or both of his string quartets. Now that would have been something; to hear a Czech composer played in his homeland by Czech musicians.

Note that the wonder of music is that it CAN be played by non natives of the land and still beautifully rendered. But I get your drift. Enough local talent to fulfil musical dreams.

I agree that maybe Vivaldi's 4 Seasons should be struck off the list if it's going to be performed by each and every group in each and every concert. It's not as if we don't know his music. Incidentally there is plenty of Mozart's music that would do just as well. The city of Prag, the Czech Republic, Bohemia have produced a number a musical talents that are well worth listening to and discovering and some wonderfully evocative music too. I came back with a CD of Czech composers' music. Not a hint of Vivaldi, lol. Then again you might be subjected to an overdose of Ma Vlast... don't you think?

[LONDONER]

Note that the wonder of music is that it CAN be played by non natives of the land and still beautifully rendered. But I get your drift. Enough local talent to fulfil musical dreams.

I agree that maybe Vivaldi's 4 Seasons should be struck off the list if it's going to be performed by each and every group in each and every concert. It's not as if we don't know his music. Incidentally there is plenty of Mozart's music that would do just as well. The city of Prag, the Czech Republic, Bohemia have produced a number a musical talents that are well worth listening to and discovering and some wonderfully evocative music too. I came back with a CD of Czech composer's music. Not a hint of Vivaldi, lol. Then again you might be subjected to an overdose of Ma Vlast... don't you think?

Therte is plenty of very good music full stop! Yes, I agree that foreigneres are quite capable of performing other country's music but I remember with affection a concert I attended in London of French music played by the orchestra of Lille and it was a wondeful experience.

With apologies to any Czech, I can't stand "Ma Vlast". Both Smetana and Dvorak also figured on the concerts in Prague. Nationalism is OK but not to be repeated ad infinitum.

[Nick9]

I don't like Smetana either. I like Dvorak more, but living in the house that is filled with piano tones every day, I usually prefer quiet

the Mucha exibition has been prolonged till September maybe we can find a nice concert for you too.

Btw. You didn't have a free ride to the airport, the ticket you had validated in the subway was still valid.

the taxi company sends their apology, but to investigate further they insist on getting your phohe number and I am hesitant to give it to them.

[princealbertofb]

That's why I mentioned the overdose, Londoner.... I find that the British do their own kind of music very well too.... I don't know if that's being nationalistic.