Events in Bamberg | ConcertPulse

Jakub Hrůša, Ivo Kahánek

Mon, Oct 7, 2024, 20:00

Konzerthalle Bamberg, Joseph-Keilberth-Saal (Bamberg)

Jakub Hrůša (Conductor), Ivo Kahánek (Piano)

»I love Czech music, and I want to share what I love with other people creatively.« Jakub Hrůša once said this in an interview, and this programme is another wonderful example thereof. The pleasure of listening is also complemented by an artist from his homeland: Ivo Kahánek is the soloist in the much too rarely performed piano concerto by Dvořák – the very composer who is always close to our Chief Conductor's heart, as he put it: »This music is like mother’s milk for me.« The symphonic piano concerto from 1876, packed with folklore, flourishes from the way the pianist and orchestra toss the thematic balls to and fro in a captivating and supple way. Before this, there is a likewise endearing piece to set the mood and thus even a double anniversary: Smetana was born in the Czech Republic in 1824 and the premiere of his comic opera »The Two Widows« took place in Prague in 1874 under his baton – a work that is set somewhere in Bohemia on an aristocratic estate and features a sparkling overture. Finally, we delve into the world of Beethoven, whose compositions are (not only) part of Jakub Hrůša’s core repertoire. Schumann described his Symphony No. 4 from 1806 as a »slender Greek maiden between two Northland giants«, as it was composed between the courageous »Eroica« and the glorious Fifth. It is a friendly work with enchanting melodies, as Beethoven was madly in love with a young noblewoman at the time – which is why a contemporary commented: »While writing this symphony, his heart must have nearly burst with joy.«

Info (www.bamberger-symphoniker.de)

Season opening in Bamberg

Sat, Sep 21, 2024, 20:00

Konzerthalle Bamberg, Joseph-Keilberth-Saal (Bamberg)

Jakub Hrůša (Conductor), Isabelle Faust (Violin)

»This must be love!« These words were heard at the joyous announcement that the journey with Jakub Hrůša will continue for several more wonderful years. And he sums it up perfectly, because our Chief Conductor is completely happy with his »friendly and harmonious home«: he loves the city Bamberg, the amicable atmosphere in the orchestra and the whole team behind the scenes, the magnificent hall and the enthusiastic audiences – who return his love in such a way that the concerts with him have been constantly sold out for years. And since fate has been particularly kind to this close relationship since 2016, Jakub Hrůša has fittingly included the Beethoven symphony on the programme for our season opener, with its world-famous tones revolving around the much-invoked Fatum – and about which it was said early on that it is a »living image of great passion«. This symphonic blockbuster is combined with favourites from the heart of our Chief Conductor: With compositions from his and our Bohemian homeland, which he regularly familiarises us with on our journey together. And in doing so, we are always moving on to lesser-known repertoire. Dvořák's Violin Concerto, for example, is not heard very often, even though it is in no way inferior in quality to the great Romantic concertos of his colleagues: it is »original, full of cantilenas and written for accomplished violinists« – including Isabelle Faust, whose wish it was to play the solo part with us one day. However, before that, we should first congratulate this year's birthday boy, Smetana: With his fascinating tone poem »Wallenstein's Camp«, which for Jakub Hrůša is a »fantastic opener« for concerts – which makes the piece a perfect opening for the new season themed »What we love«.

Info (www.bamberger-symphoniker.de)