Prague Concert Life, 1850-1881

Event title:

Festival given by the Prague Sokol Gymnastic Society

Venue: Apollo Hall (Apollo Hall)

Event type: Popular social musical and dance events

Date: 01/06/1862 11am

Programme of speeches, gymnastics etc. music including:

General participants:
  • Hlahol: participating institution, vv
  • Sokol: organizing institution
UNIDENTIFIED, ? : chorale Já vždycky očí svých k nebi pozdvíhuji (I always lift up mine eyes to the heavens), vv
arr. Zvonař, Josef Leopold: unspecified chorale , arr. male vv
JENKO, Davorin : chorus Naprej! (Forward!), male vv

Commentary:

Národní listy 1/6/1862 published news of the date, time and venue for this event. No details of the musical content of the occasion were given, except for noting that an unspecified chorale by Zvonař was to be sung by musician members of Sokol together with members of the Prague Hlahol Singing Society. No further details were given by this source.

An unsigned review of this event was published by Lumír 5/6/1862. The critic reported that ‘On Sunday the members of the gymnastic society
Sokol assembled in the Hall At Apollo for the festival celebrating the consecration of its banner, generously given by patriots. The festival began about 11am. How beautifully fetching that were these young men with their colourful national costumes! There were many guests: among them the Portreeve and the venerable, yet in spirit and endeavour eternally young Dr Purkyně. Mr Fügner, the elder of Sokol, welcomed the meeting with heartfelt words. Following that Hlahl rendered the moving Old-Czech choral Já vždycky očí svých k nebí pozdvihuji [I always lift up my eyes to heaven].“ After this there appeared the mother of the flag Mrs Mužáková, that is the writer Karolína Světlá, and her heartfelt speech upon Sokol“ certainly powerfully impressed everyone: We women and girls cannot follow your example: we conceive our blessing to bestow. And therefore we dedicate to you this banner. Look people, look womenfolk, love to the country will be your motto.“ So concluding she drove the first nail into the banner. Then other graceful gift-bearers gathered, and each drove a nail into the banner and some kind of motto spoke: „Unity, energy, rejoicing, boldness, endurance, abstinence, justice, community, brotherhood and equality, honour and glory“ and the spirited Sokol members all repeated the motto loudly. Then there came four standard-bearers, to accept the banner, of whom Mr Doležal, took the banner and with impassioned words gave thanks for the beautiful gift and then with fire and vigour gave a speech to the brothers of Sokol. Then again Hlahol sang, after which the first production of Sokol“ commenced. Yes, it was marvellous to witness their nimble dexterity and exuberant rapidity! After the exercises were finished Hlahol sang the Slovenian chorus Naprej“ and telegrams from Rokycany, Jaroměřice and Roudnice sending greetings to the festival were read. A pithy final speech was given by the honorary secretary of the society Mr Eduard Grégr, which interestingly concluded this festival. In the afternoon Sokol“ walked with its new banner to Krč, where a great many people had gathered and all were very heartily entertained. - The banner is magnificent, of weighty silk; on one side deorated with the sign of the society, a mighty flying white falcon in a red background, under which is the motto of the society Tužme se! [Let’s strengthen ourselves!]“ On the other side in a white background interwoven with flowers in red letters the name of the society Sokol“.’

No more detailed information about the musical content of the occasion was given by these sources. Hlahol presumably performed three items, the chorale
Já vždycky očí svých k nebí, an unspecified work and finally the Slovenian chorus Naprej. The last was most probably the then popular setting by Davorin.  


Summary of sources:

Národní listy (01/06/1862)
Lumír (05/06/1862)