The 2026 edition of Composers Summit Prague will bring an unusually large slate of Hollywood and international composers to the Czech capital next April, showcasing new music, live performances, and industry programming over six days. The annual event, now in its fifth year, continues to position Prague as a hub for film, television, and gaming music, with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra (ČNSO) again serving as a central partner.
Among this year’s highlights is the world premiere of a new symphonic score for Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent classic Metropolis, composed and conducted by Emmy-winning composer Jeff Beal. The performance marks one of the Summit’s most ambitious undertakings to date, pairing a landmark of early cinema with a newly commissioned orchestral work.
In addition to major evening concerts open to the public, the Summit continues to focus on its industry-oriented mission, offering dozens of masterclasses, discussions, and workshops designed for composers, students, and fans seeking deeper insight into scoring for screen media.
A six-day program of concerts and Hollywood guests
Composers Summit Prague 2026 will run April 23–28 at venues across central Prague, featuring 40 established composers whose credits span major studio films, hit television series, and popular video games. Organizers estimate more than 400 minutes of live concert programming and over 50 panels, workshops, and masterclasses.
On April 25, American composers Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein—best known for their synthesizer-driven score to Stranger Things—will perform a special concert at the newly-restored Nová Spirála theater. The audiovisual program, developed specifically for Prague, follows the release of the newest season of the Netflix series. Smutný describes the event as a custom show tailored to local audiences.
The opening night concert on April 23 at Prague’s Municipal House (Obecní dům) brings together the full roster of guest composers. According to festival director Alexandr Smutný, the event offers “a rare opportunity to see all the stars of the given year together on one stage.” Writers will present selections of their most recognized work, performed by the ČNSO, with several guests stepping into conducting or instrumental roles.
Music from The Chronicles of Narnia and Shrek (Harry Gregson-Williams), The Boys and Medal of Honor (Christopher Lennertz), KPop Demon Hunters (Marcelo Zarvos), and Daredevil and House of Cards will be featured alongside projections prepared for the concert program.
The Summit’s final evening on April 28 at the Karlín Musical Theatre brings two-time Oscar winner Gustavo Santaolalla back to Prague. Accompanied by the ČNSO, Santaolalla will present music from The Last of Us, Brokeback Mountain, Babel, and The Motorcycle Diaries, reflecting his distinctive blend of rhythmic minimalism and South American influences.
Premiere of Jeff Beal’s new Metropolis score
One of the festival’s centerpiece events is the April 27 world premiere of Jeff Beal’s new score for Lang’s Metropolis at Karlín Musical Theatre. The 1927 expressionist epic, widely regarded as a defining work of early science fiction, has inspired multiple restorations and re-scorings over the past century. The Prague premiere adds a new entry to the film’s performance history, this time led by a composer closely associated with contemporary political drama.
Beal, a five-time Emmy winner known for his music for House of Cards, will conduct the ČNSO and perform as an instrumental soloist. Smutný calls the new score “a work that brings fresh dimension to a timeless film,” highlighting the combination of orchestral scale and Beal’s personal involvement on stage. Organizers describe the performance as an immersive presentation pairing the complete film with the newly composed symphonic work.
The Metropolis premiere underscores the Summit’s broader commitment to connecting historic cinema with modern scoring practices. By commissioning and debuting new music in Prague, the festival continues to build on the city’s longstanding role in international orchestral recording, an industry supported by both local ensembles and established scoring stages.
Beyond the concerts, Composers Summit Prague 2026 will again offer an expanded program for professionals and enthusiasts. Sessions will explore screen-music composition across film, series, and gaming, featuring instructional workshops, panel discussions, and public lectures. Smutný notes that the event fosters professional exchange, enabling participants “to take part in the creation of new works, inspire one another, and build valuable collaborations.”
Tickets for the major concerts are available through the Summit’s website and Czech ticketing platforms.
