Paddling is a widely popular sport and lifestyle in our country, a fact most evident on the Vltava River. Year after year, thousands of enthusiasts flock to Vyšší Brod, setting off in various types of watercraft for journeys that take them as far as Český Krumlov, the ruins of Dívčí Kámen Castle, or even České Budějovice. In late June and early July, the upper reaches of the Vltava are absolutely packed; campsites overflow with tents, and queues form at certain weirs—a scene some have even dubbed the „paddler`s massacre.“
If you are planning a trip down the Vltava River with a group of fellow boating enthusiasts—much like we did with our riding club—you might consider enriching the experience with a live classical music concert. I had this idea a long time ago but never had the chance to make it happen, so I am sharing it here as inspiration for you. The concert I have in mind is one by the Prague Symphony Orchestra, which performs year-round at the Spanish Synagogue; their repertoire includes a program titled „The Best of Czech and World Music from the 17th to the 20th Century.“ Among the pieces performed, you will hear one of the most famous and moving musical works of all time: the symphonic poem *Vltava* (The Moldau) from Bedřich Smetana’s cycle *Má vlast* (My Country).
It will be fitting and highly stylish to listen to *Vltava* in Prague—just a few hundred meters from the river’s waters—especially with the intention of later visiting the Vltava in Vyšší Brod or even as far up as Soumarský Most to paddle down it in canoes, kayaks, or rafts. The Vltava is a magnificent river; Bedřich Smetana likely knew its bends and meanders well—not as a paddler, perhaps, but as a visitor who discovered its secrets in his youth.
So, come and hear Bedřich Smetana’s legacy as part of the „Christmas Concert – Best of Czech and World Music„; it is an incredibly moving musical work, especially when performed live by top-tier Prague musicians. It is well worth it. Or…
