Violinist María Dueñas and guest conductor Sebastian Weigle acknowledge applause after a performance with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Meyerson Symphony Center on May 29, 2026. (Scott Cantrell/Special Contributor) From the early 19th century to the later 1930s and World War II, Prague, Vienna and Budapest represented a fertile crescent of scientists, intellectuals, artists and musicians. Along with Jews and Roma, though, progressives were persecuted by Hitler — and in Russia by Stalin.