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Who Resides at Rudolfinum
Everyone who loves art. Officially, this is a home of the Czech Philharmonic, Rudolfinum Gallery, Czech Chamber Music Society, and Cafe Rudolfinum.
Czech Philharmonic
It was nowhere else than at Rudolfinum where the Czech Philharmonic started its concert activity. It happened on 4 January 1896 and the performance was conducted by Antonín Dvořák himself. The Philharmonic soon became the most important Czech symphony orchestra and had already established a considerable reputation on European stages before the First World War. For more than 126 years, its history has been influenced by numerous Czech and foreign personalities.
Today, the orchestra receives recognition for its canonical interpretations of the music of Czech composers: A. Dvořák, B. Smetana, J. Suk, L. Janáček, B. Martinů and others, but it is also known for its strong relationship to the works of J. Brahms, P. I. Tchaikovsky and G. Mahler.
However, the Czech Philharmonic is not just an orchestra. It is also an institution which, as an organization cofinanced from the state budget, carries out many activities and tasks.
I believe that if there is a building with such a long history and where so many great musicians have performed, it is stored in the house. I think that even the philharmonic musicians feel, as they go on stage in the Dvořák Hall, that Dvořák conducted there and there was a whole plethora of the best musicians. It brings good energy.
Concert activity
The Czech Philharmonic prepares and organizes the program of each season. From subscription series to special concerts to tours. Czech Philharmonic concerts.
Education
The philharmonic prepares programs for schools, music school pupils, teachers, and the general public. Within the Orchestral Academy, it strives for the professional development of young musicians.
Archive
The philharmonic documents the history of the orchestra and the institution. Through a digital concert hall, it builds an audiovisual archive of its performances.
Recording
The philharmonic works on projects for renowned labels around the world, currently collaborating with the Dutch Pentatone label, and also produces its own broadcasts and recordings of its own concerts.
Rudolfinum Administration and Development
The philharmonic takes care of Rudolfinum, a national cultural monument. It takes care of day-to-day maintenance and sensitive development of the building, as well as the objects and technologies associated with it.
Rentals
The philharmonic rents out concert halls or recording studios to various music ensembles and rents out Rudolfinum public spaces.
Galerie Rudolfinum
The Galerie Rudolfinum was founded on 1 January 1994. It is an independent economic unit within the Czech Philharmonic.
The gallery does not have its own collections and operates on the principle of Kunsthalle. The basis of its activities are large exhibition projects which mainly present contemporary art. In the dramaturgy of exhibitions, a variety of themes and art forms stands out. Visitors will encounter figurative and abstract painting, objects and installations, photography, film, or video art.
Projects are selected not only on the basis of their quality, but also their efforts to be placed in an international context. Many exhibitions are results of cooperation with foreign institutions and artists themselves.
The gallery has 1,500 m² of available exhibition space. The halls make use of daylight running through the glass ceilings as well as with various forms of controllable lighting. One of the Gallery parts is the Artpark education space, a library, a cinema, and a design shop.
I have had an ambition of bringing topics that are not only artistic, into this society. In fact, I view visual art more as a means of communication than a stand-alone object of reflection.
Exhibitions
Galerie připravuje 3–4 výstavy ročně s volným vstupem, které prezentují světovou i domácí výtvarnou scénu. Zaměřuje se na hledání nových a často nečekaných souvislostí.
Events and Education
The gallery organizes guided tours, lectures and seminars, theater performances, and film screenings. The Artpark education space offers educational programs for schools and the public.
Publications and Library
The gallery prepares and publishes exhibition catalogs and other books on contemporary art. It is constructing the freely accessible Rudolfinum Gallery Library in Artpark.
Czech Chamber Music Society
The Czech Chamber Music Society is one of the oldest music institutions in the Czech Republic. It was founded to support concert activities of the young Bohemian Quartet in 1894.
Since its inception, it has organized more than 2,600 concerts in Prague. Today, you can see them in the Rudolfinum Dvořák and Suk Halls and in the Martinů Hall of the Liechtenstein Palace.
In 1994, the Society became part of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra whilst retaining its historical name and dramaturgical identity.
Every year we try to organize the most varied offer from which, as we firmly believe, you will choose your favorite ensemble or work. We may even bring you something new to broaden your horizons.
Concert activity
The Czech Chamber Music Society provides 5 subscription series per year with a total of 28 chamber music concerts.
Czech Chamber Music Society concerts
Promotion of Chamber Music
The society presents classical domestic and world repertoire as well as contemporary chamber music.
Talent Support
The society supports young instrumentalists, ensembles, and composers.
Cafe Rudolfinum
At Rudolfinum, the sound and visual arts are complemented by the gastronomic poetry of the Cafe Rudolfinum café and restaurant. It may not boast a rich history like the other institutions in the building, but they share a common goal: giving you an extraordinary experience.
Whether you order coffee, a glass of wine or something from the menu, even here, you will hear a symphony–of flavors and aromas–and see a presentation of objects that are literally mouthwatering.
The cafe is currently closed.
