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SpecialCarp and Carols with the Nightingales
A few days ago David Vaughan went to meet the Slavíčci – or Nightingales – one of Prague’s best-known children’s choirs. He talked to members of the choir about the rich tradition of Czech Christmas music, about why you might find yourself sharing your bath with a carp in the days before Christmas Eve, and what it’s like to sing beneath the towering Gothic vaults of Saint Vitus’ Cathedral. And, of course, the choir also brings us some of the best loved Czech carols, recorded especially for Radio Prague. That and more, in Radio Prague’s special Christmas Day programme. Happy listening. More
SpecialGood King Wenceslas meets the Beatles on the Feast of Stephen
A good few years ago I used to live in a tiny flat in an old house called
the Mouse Hole, which was just off the ancient street that runs along the
bottom of the park below Prague Castle and the cathedral. In winter I used
to go out to the park to collect kindling to help get my sluggish
coal-fired stove to draw. On one occasion it had been snowing heavily and I
traipsed out through deep drifts. Ever since then I have always had a very
specific picture in my mind of the Victorian carol about the Czech patron
Saint, the tenth century Prince – or King - Wenceslas. I like to imagine
the Good King standing at one of the windows of the castle looking down and
spotting the poor man in the snow – in this case me – struggling with
an armful of branches. More
SpecialCzech carols from Christmas past and present
Christmas is not Christmas without music, and on this occasion we will be
sharing with you some of the rich spirit and history of Czech carols, some
from Christmas past and some from Christmas present.
More
MagazineMagazine
Doctors are trying to get Czechs to eat carp all year round, not just at
Christmas. Political opponents raise their voices in song together, and
over 100 hardy Czechs prepare to jump into the Vltava river on New Year’s
Day. Find out more in Magazine with Daniela Lazarova.
More
SpecialThe magic of Czech Christmas music
If any country in the world is home to the Christmas carol, it has to be
the Czech Republic. The tradition of carolling goes back centuries, and
Czech Christmas music is a wonderfully rich mixture of spiritual, secular,
classical and folk traditions. So for this special programme, we take you
on a journey into the world of Czech Christmas music. In order to enjoy
this programme fully, you need to hear the music. Just click on the
“listen” icon. But even if you are not able to listen, you can read a
transcript of part of my interview with a person who is a walking
encyclopedia on the history of Czech Christmas music. Daniel Špička has
been interested in Czech “early music” for many years, yet by
profession he is an architect…
More
MailboxMailbox
In Mailbox today: Radio Prague Christmas competition, Christmas carols on
our website, problems with RealAudio broadcasts last weekend. Listeners
quoted: Mark Schiefelbein, Paul Hoffmann, Stephen Hrebenach, Frank Bahula,
Eva Roubickova.
More
SoundCzechLet God give us his blessings
Welcome to a Christmas edition of SoundCzech – Radio Prague’s weekly
Czech language course in which you can broaden your Czech vocabulary with
the help of song lyrics. Today we’ll hear the traditional Christmas carol
“Dej Bůh štěstí tomu domu” or “Let God Bring Good Luck to This
House”. The phrase to listen out for is “dát požehnání” or
“give blessings”.
More
MailboxMailbox
In Mailbox this week: a Czech version of "O Holy Night", Ema
Destinnova's whereabouts in 1929, Czech women's family names, Jiri Sulc's
new novel. Listeners quoted: Jay Ham, Vernon Snyder, John Searight, Stephen
Hrebenach, Steve Sherdley.
More
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