Prague Sounds – A Fresher Approach for Music Across Genres

The Prague Sounds Festival, previously Strings of Autumn, has evolved into a more adventuresome affair on stages in hallowed venues in November.

Its motto is “a festival without limits to genre,” but more importantly, the musical artists of multi-generations are all most highly acclaimed.

Before the Festival, there is a special concert Sept. 3, of “War Requiem” by Benjamin Britten at Prague Castle. This anti-war oratorio will be performed by the Prague Philharmonia, Czech Philharmonic and Kyiv Symphony Orchestra along with a children’s choir and international soloists.

“War Requiem” was written in 1962 to mark the restoration of Coventry Cathedral in the UK, destroyed during World War II. It is known as a pacifist manifesto with words of the soldier-poet Wilfred Owen, who was killed in the last week of World War I, at the age of 27. His words (and life cut short) inspired Britten’s music.

Benjamin Clementine, a young composer and pianist, officially leads off the Festival, Nov. 1st. He is noted for his voice (spinto tenor) and a rags-to-riches story; born in London (1988), lived as a homeless busker on the streets of Paris, till he was discovered by a French talent agent; a triumphant return to the UK to win the Mercury Prize in 2015. His baritone voice is a modern-day Paul Robeson with similar concerns for social issues in his lyrics; musically, he traverses pop, contemporary classical and jazz.

The rest of the musical program includes almost all other genres except for heavy metal and punk. There will be jazz royalty, Ron Carter (double-bassist with his trio); JACK Quartet (avant-garde, contemporary strings chamber music); Angelique Kidjo (African pop and soul); Alva Noto & Ensemble Modern (chamber music orchestra with electronica and visual art projections); Owen Pallet (violinist, and vocalist with electronica and loops); Nathan Fake (high-energy electronica with video); Kofi Stone (British hip-hop and soul); Bert & Friends (Czech experimental pop, nu-jazz and indie rock mix).

Just to highlight a few of these: Carter is best known for his period with Miles Davis as part of Miles’ Second Great Quintet (1964-69) which included Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams and Wayne Shorter. While in more recent times, Carter recorded on the soundtrack for “Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me” on those sultry jazz compositions of Angelo Badalamenti.

For the nightclub atmosphere, Nathan Fake, a major British electronica producer will be performing in a special location, CAMP (Center for Architectural & City Planning) for a unique visual and aural convergence of his video projections with music; and for closing, Bert & Friends, a future-sounding band revives Czech pop with its retro feel.

The opening and closing shows underline the youthful appeal on the program with Benjamin Clementine and Bert & Friends both at Rudolfinum; while other sites include more popular venues as Karlin Hall, Lucerna Music Bar, La Fabrika, CAMP, DOX Contemporary Art Centre, and the National Gallery of Prague at the Trade Fair Palace will be hosts for at least one evening of The Festival.

For more details on the program including times and tickets, see the website for Prague Sounds