MN Start on Hviezdoslavovo námestie, the tree-lined square dominated by the Slovak National Theater. The theater, which was built in 1886, hosted the internationally renowned Slovak soprano Lucia Popp - who was born nearby in the town of Zahorská Ves and attended the Bratislava Music Academy - for her first performance as the Queen of the Night in 1989. Peter Dvorský, Slovakia's most famous contemporary opera singer, has been absent from his hometown stage for political reasons, but the Slovak National Opera and Ballet are still worth a wonderful night out.
MN To the right of the theater is The Reduta, home of the Slovak Philharmonic. Luxuriously restored on the inside, the 80-year-old building now houses a first-class restaurant and a casino; the orchestra, which was founded in 1949, plays in the main hall.
MN Head back across the square and into the old town. As you cross the main square, look for number 7, once home of the Eszterházys, where Arthur Rubenstein spent the summer of 1847 and composed his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D minor. Then walk down the tiny, narrow Kostolna ul. toward the pink Primatial Palace. Listen outside the windows of the seminary on your left - a local choir often practices inside.
MN Just beyond the palace, on the right corner of Uršulínska and Klobučníka, is the J.N. Hummel Museum, on the site where the composer was born in 1778. The museum (open 12-5 every day but Mondays) displays his documents and musical instruments. Walk through the courtyard to see the original house.
MN After visiting Hummel's house, meander up towards St. Michael's Gate and down Michalská ul. A short way down the newly cobbled street, just before the University Library, a road branches off to the right under an archway. On the other side of the arch, in a niche to the left on Farská ul., is U Liszta. Take a break in the restaurant's garden or in the cave-like back room. Check out their schedule of live jazz and piano concerts.
MN Don't believe the waiter's story that Franz Liszt lived here. But walk through the garden to the pavilion in the back: here Liszt, just nine years old, debuted at the palace of Leopold de Pauli. A plaque on the wall outside (around the corner on Michalská ul.) commemorates the event. "In this house in 1820 played Franz Liszt as a nine-year-old. From this concert he started his triumphant career," it reads. The Hungarian composer returned to Bratislava many times during his life.
MN Since 1968, the pavilion has housed the Library of Classical Music. Open daily between 8 and 4, the library - which welcomes first-time visitors - contains books in Slovak, English, German and French, and catalogues, CDs, and records.
MN About a block further down Michalská ul., on the wall of the Austrian embassy, is a plaque bearing the name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The master actually played down the street, at one of the palaces of the Palffy family, in 1762, when he was only six years old.
MN Soon after Michalská becomes Ventúrska ul.; follow the street to its end, past the School of Fine Arts (which houses a gallery on each side), to arrive back at Hviezdoslav's square.
If That Is Not Enough For You:
The Slovak National Music Museum (in the Bratislava Castle). With over 200,000 items in its collection, this branch of the National Museum documents Slovak musical history up to the present, including musical scores, instruments, and art with a musical theme.
The Ludwig Van Beethoven Memorial (at the chateau at Dolná Krupá, 55 km northeast of Bratislava). The exhibition in the garden pavilion documents the life and work of the great composer. Temporary musical exhibitions at the chateau. Call ahead: 0803/952-71.
The Museum of Keyboard Musical Instruments (at the Summer House Dardanelles of the Markušovce Chateau.) A historical display of keyboard instruments created in Slovakia, housed in a superb rococo summer house. The chateau is also open for visitors. (Museum hours in October: Tue.-Sat. 8:30-17:00.)
For two weeks between September 26 and October 10, Bratislava will be immersed in a joyous celebration of music. Musicians from all over the world will visit the capital to perform. Saturday and Sunday September 27-28 young up and coming musicians from all over Europe will be the headliners. Other highlights are: the St. Petersburg Orchestra (Oct. 1 - the international day of music), the London Baroque ensemble who play 200 year old instruments (Oct. 2), and the grand finale- a brand new concerto to mark the 33rd Bratislava Music Festival conducted by American George Cleve (Oct. 10). Every day and night there promises to be music in the air.
Friday, September 26
17:00 - Mirror Hall, Primate's Palace
Opening Ceremony
Bratislava Children's Choir (SR)
Conductor: Ondrej Šaray (SR)
Piano accompaniment: Nataša Bezeková
Soloists: Peter Šaray, Violin - SR
Július Horváth, Violin SR
J. Novák: Gloria
G. Fauré: Ave verum
I. Dibák: Hádanky (Puzzles)
V. Bokes : Three Slovak Folk Songs
E. Suchoň : Lastovičky ( Swallows )
M. Novák : Vábenie slnka ( The Sun Luring )
L. Voigtländer : Peter Go Ring A Dem Bells (spirit.)
B. Martinu : Vynášení smrti
20:00 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Opening Concert
Slovak Philharmonic - SR
Conductor : Ondrej Lenárd (SR)
Soloist :Marco Rizzi, Violin - Italy
J. Cikker : Varations of Slovak Folk Song
D. Shostakovich : Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No1 in A minor
L.van Beethoven : Symphony No 7 in A major
Saturday, September 27
17:00 - Moyzes Hall
lnternational Tribune of Young Interpreters of Music / TIJI UNESCO
Markus Leoson , Percussion - Sweden
F. Donatoni, N. Fukushi, N. Sivelov, I. Xenakis
Stijn and Steven Kolacny, Piano Duo - Belgium
F. Schubert : Rondo in A major
G. Brahms : Liebeslieder
F. Schubert : German Dance, 2 trios and 2 Länder, D 608
F. Schubert : Marche Militaire
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
International Tribune of Young Interpreters of Music / TIJI UNESCO
Žilina State Chamber Orchestra - SR
Slovak Philharmonic Choir - SR
Conductor : Leoš Svárovský - ČR
Choirmaster : Jan Rozehnal - ČR
Soloists : Kateřina Englichová
Igor Fjodorov, Clarinet - Russia
Adriana Kohutková, Soprano - SR
Marta Beňačková, Mezzo - SR
Jozef Kundlák, Tenor - SR
Gustáv Beláček, Bass - SR
G. F. Händel - Concerto for Harp and Orchestra in G major
W. A. Mozart - Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in A major K 622
F. Schubert - Mass in E flat major for solo, chorus and orchestra
Sunday, September 28
10:30 - Mirror Hall, Primate~s Palace
Quarter YSAYE - France
L. van Beethoven : String Quartet No.4, in C minor, Op. 18
M. Dutilleux : " Ainsi la nuit "
N. Brahms : String Quartet No.1, in C minor, Op. 51
17:00 - Moyzes Hall
International Tribune of Young Interpreters of Music / TIJI UNESCO
Adam Klocek, Violoncello - Poland
Grzegorz Siedlaczek, Piano - Poland
Concordia Quintet, Wind Quintet - Hungary
L. van Beethoven : Sonata No.1, in C major
M. Bruch : Kol Nidrei
J.Brahms : Scherzo in C minor
W. Lutoslawski : Grave
C. Debussy : Sonata in D minor
F.I. Danzi : Wind Quintet in E minor
S. Barber : Summer Music
G. Ránki : Pentaerophonia
19:30 -Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
International Tribune of Young Interpreters of Music / TIJI UNESCO
Slovak radio Symphony Orchestra - SR
Women's Choir Lúčnica
Conductor : Robert Stanovský - SR
Choirmaster : Peter Hradil - SR
Soloists : Andrea Danková, Soprano - SR
Morten Ernst Lassen, Baritone - Denmark
István Kovács, Bass - Hungary
Opera and Concert Arias
G. Holst : Planets
Monday, September 29
19:30 - Slovak Radio Concert Studio Hall
Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor : Teodor Kutchar - Ukraine
Soloist : Dong- Suk Kanga, Violin- Korea
Y. Stankovich : Suite from the ballet Prometheus
P.I. Tchaikovsky : Violin Concerto in D major
S. Rakhmaninov : Symphony No 2 in E minor
Tuesday, September 30
17:00 - Mirror Hall , Primate's Palace
Auryn Quartet - Germany
B. Britten : String Quartet, No. 3
C. Wolf : Intermezzo in E flat major
D. van Beethoven : String Quartet in F minor
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France - France
Conductor : Marek Janowski
F. Schubert : An Ouverture im italienischen Stile
F. Schubert : Symphony No.8 in B minor , D. 759" Unfinished "
H. Berlioz : Symfonie fantastique
Wednesday, October 1
17:00 - International Day of Music
Moyzes Hall
Bratislava Chamber Soloists - SR
Conductor :Anton Popovič - SR
Soloists : Jozef Lupták, Violoncello - SR
Eleonóra Slaničková - Škutová, Piano - SR
V. Godár : Barcarola for Violoncello and Orchestra
F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy : Symphony No. 10 in B minor
A. Schnittke : Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
J. Haydn : Symphony No. 44 in minor
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Symphony Orchestra Eremitage St. Petersburg - Russia
Conductor : Saulius Sondeckis - Lithuania
Soloist : Igor Oistrach, Violin - Russia
M. Glinka : Valse fantaisie
J. Brahms : Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Op. 25
S. Prokofiev : Symphonie Classique in D major , Op. 25
D. Shostakovich . Suite Hamlet, op. 32 - Stage Music
Thursday, October 2
17:00 - Klarisky Church
London Baroque - Great Britain
Artistic Leader : Charles Medlam - GB
Soloist : Lorna Anderson, Soprano - GB
Golden Age of the Roman Cantata da Camera
A. Corelli : Ciacona in G major, Op. 2/12
A. Corelli : Sonata a tre in G major
G. F. Händel : Tu fedel ? Tu constante ?
Cantata for Soprano and Strings and Bc
G.F. Händel : Concerto a quattro
G.F. Händel : O qualis de caelo sonus,
Motet for soprano , two violins and Bc
J. Ravenscroft : Sonata in D major, Op. 1/11 D. Scarlatti : Chi vedi oh~ciel ,
Cantata for Soprano, Strings and Bc
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Czech Chamber Orchestra Olomouc - ČR
Slovak Chamber Orchestra / B. Warchal - SR
I. Hrušovský : Suite quasi una fantasia
M. Tippet : Concerto for Two String Orchestras
A. Dvořák : serenade in E major, Op. 22
Friday, October 3
17:00 - Moyzes Hall
Musica aeterna - SR
Artistic Leader : Peter Zajíček - SR
Soloists : Martina Lesná, Flute - SR
Vincent van Ballegooijen, Netherlands
Jaroslav Rouček, Trumpet - ČR
W. F. Bach : Sinfonia in F major/ F 67
C.Ph. Bach : Concerto for Flute , Strings and Bc in G major
G. Ph. Telemann : Tafelmusik, Suite in D major for Oboe, Trumpet, Strings and Bc
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Bamberger Symphoniker - Germany
Conductor : Horst Stein -Germany
L.van Beethoven : Prometheus, Suite,
F. Mendelssohn - Bartholdy : Symphony No 1, in c minor
R. Strauss : Also Sprach Zarathustra
Saturday, October 4
17:00 - Moyzes Hall
Piano Recital
Silvia Čápová - Vizváry - SR
F. Schubert : Impromptus B major,
G. Franck : Prelude, chorale and fugue
R. Berger : Piano Suite
C. Debussy : For preludes
S. Prokofiev : Sonata in D minor No. 2
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Budapest Symphony Orchestra - Hungary
Conductor : Tamás Vásary - Hungary
Soloist : Miklós Perényi, Violoncello - Hungary
F. Liszt : Mazeppa
R. Schumann : Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra in A minor, Op. 125
B. Bartók : Concerto for Orchestra
Sunday, October 5
10:30 - Moyzess Hall
Piano Duo Tal/Groethuysen
Israel/The Netherlands
F. Schubert : Fantasia in G major D1
F. Schubert : Fantasia in F minor D 940
F. Schubert: Sonata in C major " Grand duo " D 812
16:00 - Great Evangelical Church
Organ Recital
Ivan Sokol - SR
F. Mendelssohn - Bartholdy : Sonata No 6 in D minor, Op. 65
J. Rheinberger : Sonata No 4 in A minor
I. Parík : Pastorale
J. Poprocký : Reminiscentio supra F.X. Zomb
M. Reger : Melodia
Intermezzo
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Slovak Philharmonic - SR
Conductor : Fjodor Glushchenko - Russia
Soloist : Pietro de Maria, Piano - Italy
P. Bagin : Allegro festivo, ouverture
J. Brahms : Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.2 in B flat major
J. Sibelius : Symphony No.1 in E minor
Monday, October 6
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Prague Chamber Orchestra - ČR
Artistic Leader : Ondřej Kukal - ČR
Soloist : Dmitri Berlinsky, Violin - USA, Russia
G. Rossini : Tancredi - Overture to the Opera
F. Mendelssohn - Bartholdy : Violin Concerto in E minor
L. Burlas : In Memory of Shostakovich
B. Martinu : Sinfonietta La Jolla
Tuesday, October 7
17:00 - Moyzes hall
Kubin Quartet Ostrava - CR
Soloist : Ivan Klánský, piano - CR
I. Szegy : Musica dolorosa
K. Stamic : String Quartet in major
K. Ditters von Dittersdorf : String Quartet in E flat major
R. Schumann : Piano Quintet in E flat major
19:30 - Blumental Church
Jazz Concert
Gustav Brom Orchestra - CR
Conductor : Vladimír Valovič - SR
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Munchner Symphoniker - Germany
Conductor : Ivan Anguelov - Bulgaria
Soloist : Minčo Minčev, Violin - Bulgaria
R. Schumann : Genoveva
Ouverture to the opera
N. Paganini : Violin Concerto no 5 in A minor
J. Brahms : Symphony No 4 in E minor
Wednesday, October 8
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra - USA
Conductor : Hugh Wolff - USA
Soloist : Richard Goode, Piano - USA
A. Kernis : Too hot Toccata
W.A. Mozart : Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C minor K 491
W. Bolcom : Commedia
A. Copland : Appalachian Spring
Thursday, October 9
19:30 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Australian Chamber Orchestra - Australia
Conductor : Richard Tognetti - Italy
Soloist : Martin Koffler, Flute - Germany
L. Janáček : Kreutzer Sonata/ Arrangement for Strings /F. Schubert : Andante from " Der Tod und das Mädchen " / Arrangement for Strings /
S. Mercadante : Flute Concerto in E minor
M. Ravel / Tognetti : Kaddish - elaborated for Strings
P. Sculthorpe : String sonata 2
P. I. Tchaikovsky : Souvenir de Florence
Friday, October 10
20:00 - Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall
Last Night Concert of BMF
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Slovak Philharmonic Choir
Conductor : George Cléve - USA
Choirmaster : Jan Rozehnal - CR
Soloist : Marian Lapšanský , Piano - SR
I. Zeljenka : Ouvertura giocosa
S. Rakhmaninov : Rapsody on a Theme of Paganini, pf, orch, Op.43
W.A.Mozart : mass in c minor K 427
Ticket Information: Tickets can be bought in advance at the Národné hudobné centrum (National Music Center), Michalská 10, 815 36 Bratislava; Monday - Friday: 13:00 - 19:00, tel.: (00421)7/533-4558, Fax: ( 00421)7/533-2029 - or - at the Slovak Philharmonic, Palackého 2, 816 01 Bratislava; Monday - Friday 13:00 - 19:00, tel.: (00421)7/533-3351.
