The program of Saturday’s concert included works by Brahms, Mendelssohn and Dvořák. The second piece of the night, Mendelssohn’s Concerto for violin and orchestra in E minor, for which liveliness, melodiousness and seeming ease are characteristic, was performed by Russian violinist Maria Solozobová. “I am incredibly happy that I got the opportunity to appear at this festival. I chose Mendelssohn’s violin concerto because it fits into the whole program beautifully. It is a sort of sunny music, the audience likes it and it is suitable for a festival summer evening such as this one. The atmosphere at the concert was very pleasant, the audience here showed me its favour. I cooperated with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra for the first time and I really enjoyed playing with them. And when I add the breathtaking beauty of the town of Český Krumlov and first-class organization of the festival, what else could I wish for.” The violinist was accompanied by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, the residential ensemble of the festival, under the leadership of Dutch conductor Conrad van Alphen. Together with the orchestra they first interpreted Brahm’s Academic Festival Overture in C minor, Op. 80, which culminates with the famous students’ song Gaudeamus Igitur. The concert finale was reserved for Antonín Dvořák. His Symphony No. 8 in G major is a piece of joy, positive feelings and well-being, that is a composition which suits a summer evening experienced in a festival atmosphere. “Today’s concert marked the end of my season this year and I have to say that it was a great ending with Dvořák played by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. I am also delighted by the level of the festival and by the beautiful historic backdrop of the town where it is held,” added conductor van Alphen.

On Sunday morning the festival offered a concert of the ensemble Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, which presented the music of the most famous composer of the 14^th century, Guillaume de Machaut. “We know the spaces of the Church of Corpus Christi and the Grieving Virgin Mary, we have already had the opportunity to perform there a few times and we are always happy to come back. I would say that this concert is ideal for the kind of music which we do. Its acoustics are not too long and for polyphony, which must take reverberation into account, it is very helpful and also makes it possible for listeners to sort of interconnect with our voices,” said the artistic leader of the ensemble David Eben.