About festival
The Rudolf Firkušný Piano Festival, organized by the Prague Spring International Music Festival, celebrates the piano and honours the legacy of the renowned Czech pianist Rudolf Firkušný, one of the most important Czech pianists of the 20th century and a key figure in the founding of the Prague Spring festival in 1946. Established to complement the main Prague Spring festival, the event takes place each autumn and presents a compact, week-long series of piano recitals by leading international pianists alongside top Czech performers.
Since its first editions in the early 2010s, the festival has quickly gained recognition for its high artistic level and carefully curated programs. Early seasons featured prominent artists such as Emanuel Ax, Grigorij Sokolov, Yefim Bronfman, Khatia Buniatishvili, and Pierre‑Laurent Aimard, together with leading Czech pianists including Lukáš Vondráček and Ivo Kahánek. Concerts typically take place in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.
The festival highlights a wide spectrum of piano repertoire, from classical masters such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to composers of the 20th century including Leoš Janáček, Sergei Prokofiev, and Béla Bartók. Its dramaturgy often combines well-known works with rarely performed compositions, offering audiences fresh perspectives on the piano repertoire.
Over the years the event has also introduced new talents and unique program concepts, such as performances for two pianos and thematic recitals. The festival regularly attracts large audiences and strong media attention, confirming its role as a prominent event in Prague’s autumn concert season.
Recent editions have continued this tradition with artists such as Leif Ove Andsnes, Anna Vinnitskaya, Piotr Anderszewski, and emerging pianists including Anna Geniushene. Through outstanding performances and thoughtful programming, the Rudolf Firkušný Piano Festival has established itself as an important platform for world-class piano interpretation in Prague.
