Czech Philharmonic & Semyon Bychkov I

It’s rare phenomenal pianist Yuja Wang takes second billing, but here it’s the chance to see the Czech Philharmonic performing music that’s in their very lifeblood which you can’t possibly pass up.

Smetana’s national epic Má vlast is undisputedly one of music’s most compelling symphonic poems. Pictures may paint a thousand words, but this is music that paints a thousand pictures; from the wild waters of the mighty Vltava coursing through the Czech landscape to a small village celebration on the outskirts of the Bohemian forests.

‘I doubt if any other orchestra in the world could play this so naturally and so movingly’ wrote The Arts Desk, following a deeply moving rendition streamed live from Prague during lockdown last year. And Czech Philharmonic Music Director Semyon Bychkov is ‘the ideal conductor for communicating the immensity of Smetana’s vision’ (Bachtrack). The fact you also get to hear from Yuja Wang in Rachmaninov's popular concerto is just the icing on the cake.