English version
Foundation of the Prades festival
Foundation of the Prades festival
In 1950, was celebrated the first edition of the Prades Festival
Pablo CASALS is narrowly related to the city of Prades which he selected, in 1939, as his land of exile, after the triumph of Francoism. He decides to put an end to his career as a cellist and conductor. He then enters a long period of silence as a protest against the dictatorship reigning in his country.
1950 was drawing near. And, 200 years ago, J.S. BACH was passing away, in Saint Thomas School of Leipzig where he dwelled.
Alexander SCHNEIDER, a renowned American violinist, enters on stage. He doesn’t want CASALS to silence his genius, he wants him to play again.
With the help of CASALS close friend, pianist Mieczyslaw Horszowski, he convinces the Maestro to upraise the "Cantor" while celebrating its jubilee with all his musicians friends. They suggest that the profits be sent to Perpignan hospital, to look after Spanish refugees.
Pablo CASALS is moved by the double argument. He then decides that the first festival will take place in Prades, in June 1950, for three weeks. The most famous soloists of those days said yes : violinists Joseph Szigeti and Isaac STERN, pianists Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Rudolf Serkin and Eugène Istomin just waiting for a nod and a wink from the Maestro, rush to Prades.
Then came outstanding concerts;… the Prades Festival was born.
CASALS had just completed 73 ! For this ageless juvenile, an exciting adventure was starting. Each new festival increased tenfold, owing to the number of celebrities and the amount of emotion, every summer ! Prades became a unique place in France . During the next 35 years, the organizers to come, magnificently protected CASALS precious legacy. He himself attended the Festival untill 1966, the year of his ninetieth birthday.
In 1950, was celebrated the first edition of the Prades Festival
Pablo CASALS is narrowly related to the city of Prades which he selected, in 1939, as his land of exile, after the triumph of Francoism. He decides to put an end to his career as a cellist and conductor. He then enters a long period of silence as a protest against the dictatorship reigning in his country.
1950 was drawing near. And, 200 years ago, J.S. BACH was passing away, in Saint Thomas School of Leipzig where he dwelled.
Alexander SCHNEIDER, a renowned American violinist, enters on stage. He doesn’t want CASALS to silence his genius, he wants him to play again.
With the help of CASALS close friend, pianist Mieczyslaw Horszowski, he convinces the Maestro to upraise the "Cantor" while celebrating its jubilee with all his musicians friends. They suggest that the profits be sent to Perpignan hospital, to look after Spanish refugees.
Pablo CASALS is moved by the double argument. He then decides that the first festival will take place in Prades, in June 1950, for three weeks. The most famous soloists of those days said yes : violinists Joseph Szigeti and Isaac STERN, pianists Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Rudolf Serkin and Eugène Istomin just waiting for a nod and a wink from the Maestro, rush to Prades.
Then came outstanding concerts;… the Prades Festival was born.
CASALS had just completed 73 ! For this ageless juvenile, an exciting adventure was starting. Each new festival increased tenfold, owing to the number of celebrities and the amount of emotion, every summer ! Prades became a unique place in France . During the next 35 years, the organizers to come, magnificently protected CASALS precious legacy. He himself attended the Festival untill 1966, the year of his ninetieth birthday.
