Alexandr Smutný, a visionary musician, producer, and business strategist, is the creative force behind the Composers Summit Prague. As the event’s director — a role akin to a president — he leads its business and program development, shaping a unique blend of creativity and collaboration.
Prague’s rich musical heritage and thriving contemporary scene make it an ideal setting for a global event of this magnitude. In an interview with The NYC Daily Post, Smutný explained: “Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a great history of music and composers. And still in present Prague there are a lot of great musicians and composers so there is also a lot to discover — that’s why I can’t imagine a better place.”
Legends on stage
The Composers Summit Prague features internationally acclaimed composers such as Mychael Danna, Harry and Rupert Gregson-Williams, Jung Jaeil and Jesper Kyd, celebrated for their groundbreaking contributions to film, TV and gaming music.
“All those great people are very busy, they have many offers from festivals and events and I am honored that they decided to come to Composers Summit Prague and all of them are coming back. I believe it’s because of the unique atmosphere and community on the Summit, combined with the beauty of Prague and the dedication of our team,” Smutný shared.
Concerts that captivate
Concerts are a cornerstone of the Summit, connecting composers and audiences while showcasing the power of original music. This year’s program includes the Opening Gala Night, Europe’s first “Squid Game” concert and a spectacular closing concert uniting Hollywood’s most iconic composing families.
“For the audience, it will feel like a special journey through the incredible worlds of film, series, and games. I am personally looking forward to ‘Aquaman,’ ‘Warhammer,’ ‘Ronin,’ ‘Captain Marvel,’ and ‘500 Days of Summer,'” Smutný said about the Opening Gala.
The “Squid Game” concert will showcase Jung Jaeil performing tracks from both seasons, followed by a visually stunning segment directed by Jiři Andrle and Michal Mocňák.
The closing concert features the Gregson-Williams brothers, the Danna brothers and Christophe Beck. “Some will also join the orchestra, conducting or performing their own pieces,” Smutný noted. Proceeds from the concert will support musicians affected by the California wildfires.
“What happened in L.A. is a huge tragedy. That’s why we’ve decided to forward money collected from the closing concert to our colleagues in L.A. affected by the fire. Our support is symbolic but important — it shows our community stands together.”
Empowering talent: How the Summit fuels collaboration and innovation
The Summit fosters collaboration and professional growth through innovative programs.
“All attendees have a real chance to meet the great stars in person, talk to them, and take part in various events with them,” Smutný explained.
Programs include a competition where winners perform at the opening gala and a showcase where emerging composers present their work with a live orchestra. “There are so many incredible opportunities for participants to meet and work with the stars,” Smutný emphasized.
Opportunities for aspiring composers
The Summit offers unparalleled educational and networking experiences for emerging composers.
“I think one of the most impactful opportunities is our masterclasses where attendees compose music based on briefs from great stars and receive direct feedback,” Smutný said. “We also have listening rooms, one-to-one lessons, and many other opportunities.”
Christophe Beck’s Prague premiere
Hollywood composer Christophe Beck will debut at this year’s Summit as its headliner.
“I am very happy that Christophe Beck is coming to the Composers Summit Prague. It will be his first time here in Prague, and I believe we can’t imagine a better person because he belongs to the biggest composers in Hollywood,” Smutný shared.
Beck will participate in masterclasses, lectures and headline the closing concert.
The legacy of the Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates legends who shaped the audiovisual industry.
“For us it’s a very important gesture in the composers community,” Smutný said. “We deeply acknowledge and love those composers who have already become legends in our industry.”
Last year’s honorees included Conrad Pope and Christopher Young. This year’s recipient will be selected in collaboration with the Czech-Slovak Film Database (CSFD).
A vision beyond borders: Alex Smutný’s plans for the Summit’s future
Alex Smutný envisions the Composers Summit Prague as a cornerstone for the global audiovisual music community, a gathering that transcends borders and fosters collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
“I believe the Composers Summit Prague is going to be a main annual meeting point for audiovisual composers from all around the world,” he shared, “I believe it will be a more and more important meeting point for producers, music supervisors and directors to meet new talents and look for the best music for their film with many possibilities in one place.”
Smutný plans to integrate cutting-edge technology and emerging trends in music composition into future editions of the Summit, ensuring it remains at the forefront of industry evolution. “We would also like to develop our unique concert program and strengthen a tradition of those concerts and every year we would like to bring a very special concert experience for our audience, like this year’s ‘Squid Games’ for example, because without all those people in the audience — for those we all do music,” he said.
Having attended 2024’s Summit myself, this writer can vouch for its extraordinary atmosphere. I had the privilege of connecting with remarkable composers such as Paul K. Joyce, Christopher Young, Conrad Pope, Nan Schwartz, Elia Cmiral, Jesper Kyd and Mychael Danna. The masterclasses were insightful, and the grand opening concert left a lasting impression. The Summit is truly a celebration of the power and beauty of music.
Featured image: Photo by Kač Brožová & Jan Urbánek
Edited by James Sutton
