• Orchestra of the Prague Sokol Gymnastic Society: participating orchestra

Národní listy 24/2/1863 reported that the Gymnastic Society Hlahol was arranging a public display of gymnastic exercises to celebrate the anniversary of the Society’s foundation. The correspondent related: ‘Sokol, Prague Gymnastic Society, arranges on Sunday 1st March a public exercise to celebrate the anniversary of its foundation. The opening is effected by the Overture „Vlasta“ by Ed. Nápravník, which the musical ensemble of Sokol will perform. Following that will be the team exercises in two parts. The first part will begin with countermarching [protichody], the second with simple exercises in a circle, after which individual teams proceed to exercise on various gymnastic apparatus directed by their gym instructors. After this music will be performed, a festival march by Kapelník Č. Vinař, then exercises on parallel bars, horizonthal bar and horse; following that fencing... and wrestling.  „Pochod Sokolův“ [March of Sokol] by Kapelník director Pavlis ends the whole festival. It begins at 6pm in the rooms of the Society at Apollo.’

A report identical in wording to the above was published by Lumír 26/2/1863.

The Tagesprogramm daily almanac of Prague social and musical events published by Bohemia 1/3/1863 related: ‘4pm in the Apollo Hall: Anniversary Festival [Gründungsfeier] of the Czech Gymnastic Society „Sokol“.’

An extensive review of this event was published by Národní listy 2/3/1863. The unsigned correspondent attempted to emphasize how different was this festival arranged by Sokol from other so-called festival events which traditionally consisted of eating and drinking and the offering of toasts. This was even considered true in relation to the activities of other gymnastic societies – undoubtedly referring to the Czech society’s German equivalent in Prague, the deutsche Turnerverein. Sokol distinguished itself by its focus upon demonstrating its prowess and achievements in gymnastic exercises and display. The critic then went on to describe the occasion in more detail, noting: ‘Already long before the set hour the guests and members of Sokol gathered in the place of the Society „at Apollo“ [u Apolla]. A crush of people thronged the entrance, passing over the carpet into the anteroom festooned everywhere with flowers, and from there along the sides of the hall, which was decorated similarly. The main hall had a remarkable adornment, two flags unfurled across from the sides, of a falcon with soaring wings. The new flag we saw for the first time, broad, white and red ribbon, embroidered very splendidly with silver; this was the gift of fair ladies and misses. A still more beautiful sight was the assembled audience, comprising a great number of the fair sex, seated around the hall, in the side halls and on both galleries.’ The members of Sokol, identifiable from their blue sashes with the sign of the Society on their left shouldersdid their best to try toshow the audience to their places, which was very difficult given the very great number of guests. ‘If still many guests could see only very little, it was not the fault of the Committee but due to the constraints of the venue. Of guests we name first of all Her Highness Princess Taxisová, Mrs Riegrová, Mrs Fügnerová, Mrs Světla, Miss Macháčková, Miss Hanušová and Miss Křížková; then there were present the Mayor Mr Pštross, Dr Rieger, His Highness Prince Rud. Taxis, some deputies [of Congress], vice-consul Mr Neubauer and many other esteemed and dear guests, as well as some German gymnasts. At 6 o’clock the musical ensemble of Sokol began the programme playing the Overture „Vlasta“ by Ed. Nápravník. After that commenced the gymnastic exercises. Over two hundred fine [statný] lads in the colourful Sokol costume came from the sides of the hall and made a magnificent sight, demonstrating various „countermarches“ [protichody]. This exercise is new, hitherto unknown and constructed and introduced by the chief-gymnast of the Society Dr Tyrš, to whom we must afford the highest praise for his efforts to perfect the gymnastic methods and to inspire a national spirit. Yesterdays exercises showed that these praiseworthy efforts have brought splendid success. After these „countermarches“ came individual exercises on different apperatus bringing to general attention the courage, strength and agility of the individual members. After this commenced the second half, which began with simple exercises in a circle (if we are not mistaken also devised by Dr Tyrš), and covering apperatus. During this, as a festival march was played, the members of Sokol arranged themselves into a circle, which made a colourful sight, and in that began their exercises on the parallel bars, horizonthal bars and on the horse. We do not know if any society, far and wide, could demonstrate such perfect gymnastics as shown by the practitioners of Sokol. The individual exercise were so spirited, with so much strength and agility, and all so magnificently executed, that it could not help but instill feelings of wonder all around. In the following fencing [session], made up of two parts, cut and thrust [na sek a na bod], we noted again some excellent fencers; at the forefront of whom were gallant elders of the Society. To ended sparred Mr Le Gros, teacher of fencing, and gymnast Mr Müller and showed themselves to be accomplished fencers.’ Following the fencing greetings by telegram were read out from other gymnastic societies in Jaroměřice, Kolín, Kutná Hora, from the singing society in Josefov, and the singing society Kolo in Zagreb. These were greeted with an loud and heartfelt call of „Na zdar!“ [Hail!]. After these came wrestling, again organized by Dr Tyrš, and divided into two parts and reveived with vociferous applause. The Sokol March was played to conclude the event. From the audience, which it was noted remained until the very end, the correspondent overheard praise spoken about the whole festival and that all regretted that it was finishing. All those who were present would for sure often recall the great beauty of this event. Concluding, the critic called for Sokol to continue to excel in its activities and in the spirit of all patriots offered to the Society a heartfelt ‘„Na zdar!“’ [Hail!].

The Czech-language arts and literature periodical Lumír 5/2/1863 published a review of this event. The critic expressed pleasant surprise at the successful progress of Sokol in the year since its foundation. ‘Already in the team exercises great skill and prowess was evident, then the individual exercises excelled in all respects in courage and elegance. Most of all, meriting the greatest attention, was the cut and thrust fencing in which particularly shone the elder Mr Fügner and the instructor Mr Müller, and then the wrestling. Wrestling was organised by the head gymnast Dr Tyrš and was divided into two sections, Greek wrestling and a contest, the second of which attracted the most attention and gained the most applause. The whole event was noted to have commenced at 6pm and ended at 9pm and attracted a select and numerous attendance. Sokol was to be congraturlated upon its success and was thought to now rank better than many gymnastic societies in foreign lands.

A brief review of this concert focussing specifically upon the musical content of the occasion was published by Dalibor 10/3/1863. The correspondent, signed ‘-n.’, related: ‘At the annual festival of „Sokol“ to celebrate its [the Society’s] founding, taking place on 1st March, the ensemble of „Sokol“ directed by its kapelník [Kapellmeister] Mr Čeněk Vinař performed the successful, ingeniously worked out and piquant Overture „Vlasta“ by Ed. Nápravník, which gave great pleasure. Next the Sokol ensemble performed the energetic festival March from the talented Č. Vinař, which we recommend to provincial bands. To end the ensemble played the „Pochod Sokolů“ [March of Sokol]. All pieces were performed commendably.’