On the 29th of June we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of the important conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, Rafael Kubelík, who, among other things, helped to found the Prague Spring Festival. Celebrate his memory with us.
Rafael Kubelík was known for his artistic leadership, in which his ability to connect the orchestra with the audience stood out. His extensive recording activity, which included complete cycles of symphonies by Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and Mahler, is also characteristic. In 1945, he was integral to the nationalization of the Czech Philharmonic, which guaranteed the orchestra financial stability and the ability to focus on quality music production. A year later, in 1946, he founded the Prague Spring International Music Festival.
He stood out with his modesty, humility and fellowship with the orchestra. "I cannot give advice to the orchestra and be unruly in myself, be a prima donna and be distracted by unfortunate circumstances. I am the one hundred and fourteenth in front of the one hundred and fourteen players of the orchestra."
Kubelík's life was marked by his exile after the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1948. After more than 30 years in exile, he returned to his homeland in 1990 and conducted the famous opening concert of the Prague Spring Festival, which became an unforgettable symbol of the new era of freedom
Read more about his life and work, important milestones, his stay in exile and his journey to international musical success in the article in our Magazine.
