The Czech Philharmonic – which made its debut in 1896 under Antonín Dvorák – has an extraordinary legacy reflecting its place in the pantheon of the great European orchestras as well as its distinct location embracing both Eastern and Western Europe culture and tradition. Internationally acknowledged for its definitive performances of Czech composers Dvorák, Janácek, Martinu, and Smetana, the Czech Philharmonic is also recognized for its relationship to the music of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Mahler, who was of Czech origin, and whose Symphony No. 7 they premiered in 1908. Now led by Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov, the all-Czech orchestra makes...
Czech Philharmonic
Orchestra
“Bychkov’s way with Mahler is natural in that everything seems just right - unforced, organic, even effortless.”
New York Classical Review, October 2018
“There are three orchestras considered great Mahler ensembles: the Vienna Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic...there is another that deserves to be in this company: the Czech Philharmonic.”
New York Classical Review, October 2018
“Mr. Bychkov worked something close to magic, compelling slight rhythmic and sonic shifts that conveyed exponential changes in mood without losing focus or suggesting fussiness. The huge string choirs varied their sound bracingly, from dense earthiness to gossamer.”
The Wall Street Journal, October 2018
“Judging from the tears and awe-struck faces in the audience during the orchestra’s bows - following the quiet holiness and overwhelming triumph of the symphony’s finale - I wasn’t the only one who walked away with relief, however temporary, from feelings of anger, confusion and sadness. This was a testament not only to Mahler, but also to Mr. Bychkov and his orchestra.”
The New York Times, October 2018
“And at the end, the audience, to a person, rocketed to their feet. Both soloists received repeated cheers, as did all the different elements of the orchestra, all highlighted and recognized by their conductor, who also obtained a massive roar of approval. Because what happened inside that hall, where Mahler himself once conducted, was beyond memorable; it was a gift to all who heard it.”
OperaWire, November 2018
“Bychkov never lets Mahler’s tense reminders of what is yet to come get lost even within those more gentle movements, the beauty and tension constant, as the piece builds to that resolution, that final redemption. The third movement seemed to ground itself with a Bohemian lilt and feel, the musical passage playing a game of hide and seek. And again, the seductive nature of this movement was - under this conductor - as if new to me.”
OperaWire, November 2018