Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Martinů

Marvelous Martinů in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 07 December 2024

The composer's work and influence shone brightly in the finale to this year's Bohuslav Martinů Days festival.

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Prague

07 Dec 2024

Marvelous Martinů in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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The spirit of the revolution lives on in Prague: Petr Popelka conducts the Czech Phil

By Frank Kuznik, 16 November 2024

With Petr Popelka on the podium, the Czech Philharmonic provides a memorable commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.

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Prague

16 Nov 2024

The spirit of the revolution lives on in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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A contemporary burnish for Dvořák’s Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 19 September 2024

With a wild world premiere, the Dvořák’s Prague festival expands its musical palette and heightens its standing.

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Prague

19 Sep 2024

A contemporary burnish for Dvořák’s Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Bereft blues as the Santa Cecilia and Jakub Hrůša play at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik, 18 May 2024

Lackluster Gershwin undercuts an otherwise impressive outing by Jakub Hrůša and the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

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Prague

18 May 2024

Bereft blues as the Santa Cecilia and Hrůša play at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik

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Keeping it surreal: Martinů double-bill at the Royal Academy of Music

By Dominic Lowe, 08 May 2024

With typical spirit, the students at the Royal Academy of Music did an excellent job in bringing Martinů’s Comedy on the Bridge and Alexandre bis to life – two lesser-known pre-war surrealist gems.

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London

08 May 2024

Keeping it surreal: Martinů double-bill at the Royal Academy of Music

By Dominic Lowe

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Hamburg

A searing Shostakovich 8 from Jurowski and the Berlin Radio Symphony

By Alexander Hall, 04 May 2024

One of the glories of the German musical landscape are its radio orchestras. Up there with the finest, Vladimir Jurowski’s Berliners impress in Martinů and Shostakovich, while Christian Tetzlaff forays into Suk.

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Hamburg

04 May 2024

A searing Shostakovich 8 from Jurowski and the Berlin Radio Symphony

By Alexander Hall

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Intensity, virtuosity and life-affirming energy from the Pavel Haas Quartet's all-Czech evening

By Nick Boston, 12 February 2024

The Pavel Haas Quartet perform Kaprálová, Martinů and Dvořák at Wigmore Hall with rich, full-bodied tone and effortless virtuosity.

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London

12 Feb 2024

Life-affirming energy from the Pavel Haas Quartet at Wigmore Hall

By Nick Boston

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Omer Meir Wellber conducts a winter warmer in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 11 December 2023

With an assist from Gidon Kremer, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra shines in an overheated, challenging program.

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Prague

11 Dec 2023

Omer Meir Wellber conducts a winter warmer in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Marvelous Martinů in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 08 December 2023

Tomáš Netopil and the Czech Philharmonic bring high energy to the Martinů Days festival with a smart, fresh take on Ariadne.

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Prague

08 Dec 2023

Marvelous Martinů in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Bracing Beethoven at Dvořák’s Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 08 September 2023

Now in its 23rd year, the festival offers a broader perspective on its namesake's influences and music as this program by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Paavo Järvi demonstrates.

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Prague

08 Sep 2023

Bracing Beethoven at Dvořák’s Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Kožená entrances the Rudolfinum with Martinů miniatures

By David Karlin, 25 February 2023

Magdalena Kožená provides a compelling case for two little-heard Martinů song cycles; Rattle and the Czech Phil are competent but not altogether convincing in Schumann.

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Prague

25 Feb 2023

Kožená entrances the Rudolfinum with Martinů miniatures

By David Karlin

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A spirited celebration by hometown heroes at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik, 16 February 2023

The Czech Philharmonic offers a heartfelt tribute to some of the nation's most admired composers with help from contemporary stars.

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Prague

16 Feb 2023

A spirited celebration by hometown heroes at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik

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Czech music soars under Hrůša's baton at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik, 15 December 2022

Jakub Hrůša puts a fresh face on two 20th-century milestones, with fiery support from Leonidas Kavakos.

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Prague

15 Dec 2022

Czech music soars under Hrůša's baton at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik

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Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic bring Slavic homelands to Edinburgh

By David Smythe, 20 August 2022

Festive Dvořák, intense Martinů with Katia and Marielle Labèque, and an awesome performance of Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass at the Edinburgh International Festival.

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Edinburgh

20 Aug 2022

Slavic homelands: Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic in Edinburgh

By David Smythe

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Music-making of polish and commitment from Bychkov and the BBCSO

By David Truslove, 05 August 2022

A world premiere, a rarely performed concerto and a slice of late Rachmaninov formed a well-conceived programme that also featured the internationally renowned Labèque sisters.

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London

05 Aug 2022

Music-making of polish and commitment from Bychkov and the BBCSO

By David Truslove

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New York City

Jakub Hrůša returns to the New York Philharmonic podium with rare Kodály and Martinů

By Edward Sava-Segal, 10 February 2022

Yuja Wang's wonderful musical sensibility and unconventional approach to every phrase were in evidence in her account of Liszt's First Piano Concerto.

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New York City

10 Feb 2022

Jakub Hrůša returns to the New York Philharmonic podium

By Edward Sava-Segal

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Keeping the Martinů flame alive in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 17 December 2021

Star performers and a smart program offer an insightful look at a neglected composer.

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Prague

17 Dec 2021

Keeping the Martinů flame alive in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Hamburg

From the heart of Central Europe: Manfred Honeck and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester

By Alexander Hall, 18 November 2021

Making connections between works real and emphasising the value of tradition were addressed in this mix of Bartók, Martinů and Mahler from Manfred Honeck, Frank-Peter Zimmermann and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester.

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Hamburg

18 Nov 2021

From the heart of Central Europe with Manfred Honeck and the NDR

By Alexander Hall

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Masterwork and 'prentice piece from Tamestit, Rattle and the LSO

By Roy Westbrook, 06 October 2021

Hans Keller's mischievous essay on “Phoney Professions” lists both viola players (“it’s just a big violin”) and conductors among its targets. This performance refuted that, as surely as it delighted everyone else.

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London

06 Oct 2021

Masterwork and 'prentice piece from Tamestit, Rattle and the LSO

By Roy Westbrook

Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO lift the spirits at the Edinburgh International Festival

By David Smythe, 19 August 2021

An entertaining assortment of vignettes from Ibert, Martinů and Richard Strauss made for a delightful summer evening of music.

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Edinburgh

19 Aug 2021

Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO lift the spirits at the EIF

By David Smythe

Two concerts for one: Mahan Esfahani and Sarah Connolly at Wigmore Hall

By David Karlin, 14 June 2021

A varied programme of harpsichord pieces interleaves with songs from Shakespeare and the following century.

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London

14 Jun 2021

Mahan Esfahani and Sarah Connolly at Wigmore Hall

By David Karlin

Dancing and sparkling Czech rarities from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra

By Chris Garlick, 14 January 2021

Krása, Dvořák, Haas and Martinů made for a splendidly curated programme from Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh

14 Jan 2021

Dancing and sparkling Czech rarities from the SCO

By Chris Garlick

Gardiner and the Czech Philharmonic: a smart, scintillating reunion in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 29 November 2020

Both live and online, a gifted conductor and world-class orchestra offer an inspirational overview of Czech music.

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Prague

29 Nov 2020

A smart, scintillating reunion in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

Leeds

Martinů's The Greek Passion: an opera for our times

By Mark Pullinger, 14 September 2019

At a time when the “relevance” is bandied around all too frequently in relation to opera, Martinů's really does deserve that tag.

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Leeds

14 Sep 2019

Martinů's The Greek Passion: an opera for our times

By Mark Pullinger

Plugging in at Prague Spring's tribute to the theremin

By Frank Kuznik, 24 May 2019

A tribute to the theremin offers a fresh look at a century-old instrument.

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Prague

24 May 2019

Plugging in at Prague Spring's tribute to the theremin

By Frank Kuznik

Cleveland

Labèques make a persuasive case for rare Bruch in Cleveland

By Timothy Robson, 09 May 2019

Semyon Bychkov was the guest conductor for a fine concert that also included the US premiere of Detlev Glanert’s evocative Wide Open Land, Music with Brahms, and expansive Smetana.

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Cleveland

09 May 2019

Labèques make a persuasive case for rare Bruch in Cleveland

By Timothy Robson

Antwerp

The American Dream still lives in Antwerp

By Marc Haegeman, 03 May 2019

Špaček subtly illuminated the tough and serious first movement with shafts of light, convincingly sweetened his tone for the lyricism of the intermezzo-like Andante moderato, and gave a dazzling display in the exhilarating finale.

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Antwerp

03 May 2019

The American Dream still lives in Antwerp

By Marc Haegeman

Manchester

Magnificent Martinů and expressive Dvořák in Manchester

By Peter Connors, 23 March 2019

Andrei Ioniţă proved to be an ideal interpreter of Dvorak's Cello Concerto in a concert that also included a magnificent performance of Martinů's Fourth Symphony.

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Manchester

23 Mar 2019

Magnificent Martinů and expressive Dvořák in Manchester

By Peter Connors

In Prague, an orchestra in transition

By Frank Kuznik, 19 December 2018

After blazing new trails abroad, the Czech Philhamonic keeps its hometown fans happy with a rousing return to form.

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Prague

19 Dec 2018

In Prague, an orchestra in transition

By Frank Kuznik

Lords and ladies of the dance: the LPO and Orozco-Estrada

By Alexander Hall, 28 November 2018

Andrés Orozco-Estrada and the LPO offer an eclectic and unusual mix of works which, despite commendable playing, never quite added up to a satisfying whole.

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London

28 Nov 2018

Lords and ladies of the dance: the LPO and Orozco-Estrada

By Alexander Hall

Life out of Death: a celebration of Czech musical defiance from the LPO

By Matthew Rye, 07 November 2018

In a typically ambitious programme, Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra explored how four Czech composers responded to imprisonment, exile and renewal.

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London

07 Nov 2018

A celebration of Czech musical defiance from the LPO

By Matthew Rye

Tokyo

A masterclass in chamber playing at Suntory Hall

By Nahoko Gotoh, 02 June 2018

Intergenerational ensemble-making was the key feature of the opening concert of Suntory Hall's Chamber Music Garden festival, produced by eminent cellist and the hall's President Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi.

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Tokyo

02 Jun 2018

A masterclass in chamber playing at Suntory Hall

By Nahoko Gotoh

Belgrade

Alban Gerhardt stars in Martinů’s Cello Concerto no. 1 with the Belgrade Philharmonic

By Peter Connors, 11 May 2018

Alban Gerhardt in Martinů’s Cello Concerto no. 1 was a dazzling achievement in the Belgrade Philharmonic’s concert under Uroš Lajovic, along with atmospheric Sibelius and polished Tchaikovsky.

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Belgrade

11 May 2018

Gerhardt stars in Martinů cello concerto with Belgrade Philharmonic

By Peter Connors

Ticciati revisits former glories with his SCO team

By Simon Thompson, 11 January 2018

Is there any instrument more bittersweet than the viola? The violin does the acrobatics, the cello is more conventionally beautiful, but the viola sits in the middle of the orchestral palette like no other instrument. Neither high nor low, it’s perfectly placed to embody the contradictory and the conflicted, ideal for a sense of desire denied or of fulfilment deferred.

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Edinburgh

11 Jan 2018

Ticciati revisits former glories with his SCO team

By Simon Thompson

Top notch musicianship from the Schubert Ensemble in Czech masterworks

By Chris Garlick, 09 November 2017

Top notch musicianship from the Schubert Ensemble in their final appearance at King’s Place.

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London

09 Nov 2017

Top notch musicianship from the Schubert Ensemble

By Chris Garlick

A native son returns triumphant to Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 12 September 2017

Conductor Tomáš Netopil combines the best of two worlds at the Dvořákʼs Prague festival.

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Prague

12 Sep 2017

A native son returns triumphant to Prague

By Frank Kuznik

Prom 56: Jakub Hrůša raises Czech music to celestial Bohemian heights

By Sophia Lambton, 26 August 2017

The effervescent conductor took six little-known Czech works into another ether: one in which the footprints are invisible.

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London

26 Aug 2017

Raising Czech music to celestial Bohemian heights

By Sophia Lambton

New York City

Scottish Ballet on tour: Poetry, Prose and Neoclassicism in New York

By Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn, 11 April 2017

It was a successful program that showed off the considerable range of a talented and charming troupe.

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New York City

11 Apr 2017

Scottis Ballet in NY

By Andrew Blackmore-Dobbyn

Seattle

“More Light! More Light!” Morlot and the Seattle Symphony tackle Beethoven's Fifth

By Thomas May, 23 March 2017

Ludovic Morlot and Seattle Symphony wrap up their two-year Beethoven cycle with a new perspective on the Fifth, by way of Bohuslav Martinů and a thrilling Bartók Second Piano Concerto featuring Bertrand Chamayou.

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Seattle

23 Mar 2017

“More Light! More Light!”

By Thomas May

Gautier Capuçon and Frank Braley impress in mercurial Debussy

By Nahoko Gotoh, 15 March 2017

Cellist Gautier Capuçon and pianist Frank Braley are artists I have previously admired in many chamber ensemble concerts, but their recital at Kings Place was the first time I heard them as a duo.

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London

15 Mar 2017

Mercurial Debussy from Capuçon and Braley

By Nahoko Gotoh

Illuminating Vaughan Williams from Jurowski and the LPO

By Chris Garlick, 25 January 2017

Kancheli, Martinů and Vaughan Williams – all of whom have at various times been misunderstood or ignored – featured in this bold programme from Vladamir Jurowski and the LPO.

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London

25 Jan 2017

Illuminating Vaughan Williams from Jurowski and the LPO

By Chris Garlick

Gilgamesh: In Prague, a rousing revival of an ancient story

By Frank Kuznik, 25 January 2017

The Czech Philharmonic brings The Epic of Gilgamesh to life with audacity and flair.

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Prague

25 Jan 2017

In Prague, a rousing revival of an ancient story

By Frank Kuznik

Berlin

Tumultuous times: a history lesson with Vladimir Jurowski

By Sam Johnstone, 14 January 2017

A firecracker performance by Vladimir Jurowski and the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin giving urgency to music composed at a time that echoes our own.

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Berlin

14 Jan 2017

A history lesson with Vladimir Jurowski

By Sam Johnstone

Poole

Impressive Rachmaninov and revelatory Martinů from Aleksandar Marković and the Bournemouth SO in Poole

By David Truslove, 26 October 2016

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra produced wonderfully supportive playing for pianist Alexander Romanovsky in Rachmaninov’s youthful First Piano Concerto and vividly brought to life Martinů’s Fourth Symphony.

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Poole

26 Oct 2016

Impressive Rachmaninov, revelatory Martinů in Poole

By David Truslove

Cleveland

Brilliant Bartók from Yuja Wang and Jakub Hrůša in Cleveland

By Timothy Robson, 20 October 2016

The program also included Martinů’s undeservedly neglected Parables and restrained, lyrical Brahms.

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Cleveland

20 Oct 2016

Brilliant Bartók from Wang and Hrůša

By Timothy Robson