• Prague Organ School: participating institution
• ŻELEŃSKI, Władysław, Count: pupil(s) of institute, org

Advance news of this event appeared in a report published by Prager Morgenpost 28/7/1863. The source, signed ‘– y ’, related: ‘Musical Examination. Thursday, 30th July, as every year, take place the examinations for the pupils of the Organists’s School (in the venue of the Institute). The programme this year too is as diverse as it is interesting in its make up. As well as examinations in theory, performances by individual pupils of their own composition, shall also be [performances] of several compositions in the lyrical-religious category – some extracts, in which we expect to make a particular impression the Duet from the celebrated „Stabat mater“ by Astorga and the Fugato from the „Gloria“ of the great Mass in B-flat major by Brixi. Certainly in the first rank amongst the high organ pieces [to be given] stands a new big Sonata by Director Krejčí, two Chorales as well as a great Fugue on the name „Bach“ by Robert Schumann. The so pleasing results that this institute shows for itself, leads us this year again to expect with full confidence a numerous attendance of all friends of art, which in itself will further encourage and spur on the pupils in their activities.’ No further details were given by this source.

The German-language Prager Morgenpost made clear its positive outlook on the Prague Organists’s School, in contrast to the Czech-orientated periodical Dalibor and Národní listy which criticised the school under Krejčí’s directorship. Unsurprisingly, the ensuing review of the event published by Prager Morgenpost 1/8/1863 was enthusiastic in its praise of the occasion. The correspondent related: ‘Examinations in the Organ School [Prüfung in der Orgelschule]. This year’s public theoretical-practical for pupils of the Organists’s School of the first and second year classes took place on Thursday in the rooms of the School before a numerous audience, among which were many notable artists as well as several Prague musical experts [musikalische Autoritäten Prags]. After students had undertaken tests in harmony and other related topics, there followed [examinations in the] rules of playing figured bass, in which the pupils of the Institute not only demonstrated on this day their proficient theoretical knowledge but also their practical fluency. The audience were absorbed by the pieces performed; particularly notable was the B minor Motetto by Caldara for mixed 3-voice chorus, and a Duett from the Stabat mater by Astorga for alto and tenor solo, in which Mrs Schmidt-Procházka and Mr Lukes participated commendably. The second-year class [then] answered questions, including their completely answering questions as to the rules of modulation... [there then] followed individual compositional exercises in Preludes and Fugues by the pupils. The G minor Fugue by Malatt seemed to me to be the best work. After this came the performance [of great organ compositions... these included a Sonata for Organ by the School’s] Director Mr Joseph Krejčí, played by the pupil Želenskí (This interesting work very soon appears in print, so will we not on this occasion comment upon its individual merit). To conclude there followed several contrapuntal and fugal works by Sebastian Bach, the Fugue by Schumann on the name „Bach“ (nr.2) and Riek’s Concert Variations op.86. All the pupils accomplished their exercises most honourably. When we consider that Fugue and counterpoint are the most difficult of art forms, we were amazed in this respect at the accuracy and the precision, as well as with the theoretical knowledge, of the pupils. Thus we must rightly pay tribute to the felicitous teacher, Director Krejčí, who in such a scant period of time has been able to achieve such results, not only for the pleasing achievements and progress of the students, but also for the whol artistry and manner with which he conducts the proceedings of the examinations, as was self-evident here. – Following the conclusion of the examinations the „præmio donati“, five in number, were called out. Three of those were presented with musical textbooks, two with gold coins.’ No further details of this event were given by the source.

A brief review of these examinations also appeared in the Prague German-language newspaper Politik 2/8/1863: ‘The pupils of the first and second years of the Organ School on 30th July were examined for their musical education in harmony, counterpoint, and theory. They also performed with full pedal obbligato several classic, higher organ pieces, specifically by Krejčí, then some very interesting compositions by Sebastian Bach.’