An orchestra blazing burnished colours, rich string tone, and boundless refinement, the Czech Philharmonic launches a two-day residency with a concert of Shostakovich.
Keywords: Guest Concert, Symphony Concert, Young Musicians
| Czech Philharmonic Orchestra | |
| Semyon Bychkov | Conductor |
| Sheku Kanneh-Mason | Cello |
| Dmitri Shostakovich | Cello Concerto No 1 |
| Dmitri Shostakovich | Symphony No 5 |
These events are similar in terms of concept, place, musicians or the program.
An orchestra blazing burnished colours, rich string tone, and boundless refinement, the Czech Philharmonic launches a two-day residency with a concert of Shostakovich.
The second concert in the Czech Philharmonic’s residency boasts Mozart's vivacious concerto written for (and tonight performed by) two siblings alongside Mahler's Symphony No 5.
The second concert in the Czech Philharmonic’s residency boasts Mozart's vivacious concerto written for (and tonight performed by) two siblings alongside Mahler's Symphony No 5.
The new star of British cello Sheku Kanneh-Mason takes on Shostakovich’s formidable Concerto No. 1, before conductor Semyon Bychkov and the venerable Czech Philharmonic tackle the composer’s most famous symphony.
Semyon Bychkov, with the Czech Philharmonic of which he has been music director since 2018, returns to Mahler, whose symphonies he continues to explore with relish. He is joined by Katia and Marielle Labèque, celebrated icons of the piano duet world. .
Their mutual history goes back a long way: the first concert given by the Czech Philharmonic, which was founded in 1896 by musicians of the Prague National Theatre, was conducted by no lesser figure than Antonín Dvořák. It goes without saying that the programme featured works by the composer’s himself, who had just returned from America. And it was Dvořák’s wealth of melody and his orchestral creativity that produced the traditional soft sound cultivated by this top ensemble. So tonight we hear a showpiece programme which marks the Czech Philharmonic’s return to ProArte this season. In the midst of nature the audience can hear birdsong and get to know nature lover Dvořák, who was fond of working in his garden with a straw hat on, and used to go for long hikes with a water bottle in his backpack. His highly sophisticated Violin Concerto shows his talent for marvellous melodies, while the cleverly designed Eighth Symphony is a classic example of this brilliant composition’s rich imagination. One couldn’t present the Czech national composer any better than this!
The founding concert of the Czech Philharmonic in 1896 was conducted by no less a figure than Antonín Dvořák. Ever since then, the tradition-rich Prague-based orchestra has been known for its warm Bohemian sound. Under its chief conductor Semyon Bychkov, the orchestra now dedicates a programme to the great Bohemian Dvořák. In addition to the much-loved symphony »From the New World«, they also perform his only piano concerto, played by Sir András Schiff. For the Hungarian master pianist, the 1876 work is »a wonderful concerto, conceived in the best symphonic tradition of Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms.« In it, however, the soloist does not function as a leading actor, but instead forms a glorious unit with the orchestra. The second main work is Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony, which was composed during his time in America. The symphony borrows from African-American spirituals and also contains references to the music of his distant Bohemian homeland.
The Fifth Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich was composed in 1937 during a time of great personal and political tension. After facing criticism of his music from the Soviet government, he had to prove himself once again - and created a work that impressed both the regime and deeply moved his audience. Full of tragedy, hope, and subtle irony, Shostakovich's symphony reflects his courage and genius. Today, in this gripping masterpiece, one can hear the power of a composer who used music as the language of the soul. Equally captivating is the Violin Concerto by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Nordic expanses, passionate melodies, and virtuosic solos merge into an unparalleled auditory experience. The violin tells tales of longing and adventure, of quiet moments and powerful outbursts. This concerto is a celebration for the senses - captivating, touching, and unforgettable.
The Fifth Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich was composed in 1937 during a time of great personal and political tension. After facing criticism of his music from the Soviet government, he had to prove himself once again - and created a work that impressed both the regime and deeply moved his audience. Full of tragedy, hope, and subtle irony, Shostakovich's symphony reflects his courage and genius. Today, in this gripping masterpiece, one can hear the power of a composer who used music as the language of the soul. Equally captivating is the Violin Concerto by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Nordic expanses, passionate melodies, and virtuosic solos merge into an unparalleled auditory experience. The violin tells tales of longing and adventure, of quiet moments and powerful outbursts. This concerto is a celebration for the senses - captivating, touching, and unforgettable.
For the 2nd concert of their Barbican stopover, Gustavo Dudamel and his orchestra are remembering home as the vibrant Latino vibes of Riccardo Lorenz and Gonzalo Grau encounter fate-full Tchaikovsky.
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