The sound of organ has not lost its glamour and popularity until today. The sold-out organ concerts give evidence to this fact. The organisers of the Prague Spring are well aware of this tendency and have been inspired to launch the Days of Prague Organ, this time being it already its second year.

The organ recital of Mrs. Irena Chřibková, a distinguished Czech organist, took place at St. James´ Basilica in Prague Old Town. The Basilica is regarded as a historical organ concert hall and the repertoire chosen by Mrs. Chřibková was an engrossing mosaic of frequent pieces of Johann Sebastian Bach and the composers of the 20th century – Miloslav Kabeláč, Jeanne Demessieux, Marcel Dupré and Petr Eben. The programme conception was truly masterly arranged. The concert was started off by two modern pieces – the monumental Fantasia in D minor, which completely fulfilled the huge space of the basilica and prepared the audience for an unusual experience. The gentle chorale introductions shortly calmed the atmosphere, to be followed by a grand Baroque Fugue. Then a quick transfer in the music of the 20th century and a restless awaiting of Jesus arrival. The Faust by Petr Eben concluded the concert. Those who had expected sombre music, were surely surprised by a civil rendering of the composition. The Faust could also perfectly become film music. The story told through Eben music was well comprehensible for all and the audience was astonished by creative music. The combination of a conventional place and contemporary music, playing an ancient instrument and the earnestness and cogency of the topics were all truly novel. Each of these links makes people ponder, and that is good.

(Lucie Borovičková, Prague 2009)