The Rudolf Firkušný Piano Festival is a short run of solo and duo recitals, organised by Prague Spring and named after the Czech pianist who spent most of his career in exile. It takes place in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum from 3 to 9 November 2026. There are five concerts this year, and two were sold out weeks in advance. The 2026 programmes lean towards nineteenth-century Romantic music, with some Czech works among them. For the rest of the season, see our guide to classical music in Prague.
The Programme
All concerts start at 19:30 in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum.
| Tue 3 November Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall |
Evgeny Kissin and Sir András Schiff, each at his own piano: Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos K 448, Schumann’s Andante and Variations Op. 46 and Pictures from the East Op. 66, Smetana’s Vltava and Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances (excerpts). Sold out. |
| Thu 5 November Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall |
Lukas Sternath, winner of the 2022 ARD Competition, in his festival debut: Liszt’s Schubert song transcriptions, Années de pèlerinage: Italie, and Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy. |
| Fri 6 November Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall |
Marek Kozák, a programme built on dance: Bach’s Partita No. 1, Smetana’s Czech Dances (excerpts), Ravel’s Valses nobles et sentimentales, Liszt’s Soirées de Vienne No. 6 and Mephisto Waltz No. 1. |
| Sat 7 November Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall |
Anna Vinnitskaya: Brahms’s Three Intermezzos Op. 117, Rachmaninoff’s Corelli Variations, Scriabin’s Sonata No. 3 and Chopin’s Sonata No. 3 in B minor. |
| Mon 9 November Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall |
Grigory Sokolov, back after four years: Schubert’s Sonata in B flat D 960 and Brahms’s Sonata No. 3 in F minor Op. 5. Sold out. |
Sir András Schiff also gives a masterclass on 2 November at 15:00, which is sold out.
Practical Notes
- Tickets: Buy them only through the festival website or the Rudolfinum box office. Children, students and seniors get discounts. For sold-out nights, check the official site for returns close to the date rather than paying resellers.
- Getting there: The Rudolfinum is on Jan Palach Square, next to Staroměstská station on metro line A.
- Dress: Smart casual is fine. Recital audiences here dress a little more formally than for a weekday orchestral concert.
- Timing: The doors close on the dot. If you are late, you wait for the interval.
The festival overlaps with Prague Sounds, so November is a good month for music. Our Prague in November guide covers the rest of the month.
