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

In the 50th anniversary year of Shostakovich's death, the Czech Philharmonic bring two of the composer's greatest works to the Barbican, the latest stop on their European tour.

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London

07 Mar 2025

Heavyweight Shostakovich from Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Phil

By Mark Pullinger

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Prague

A powerful Jeanne d'Arc in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 13 February 2025

The Czech Philharmonic's impassioned performance of Honegger's dramatic oratorio marks an historic milestone in Prague.

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Prague

13 Feb 2025

A powerful Jeanne d'Arc in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

A dynamic debut in Prague by Alan Gilbert

By Frank Kuznik, 19 December 2024

With an assist from soloist Kirill Gerstein, Alan Gilbert holds the audience rapt in his inaugural appearance with the Czech Philharmonic.

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Prague

19 Dec 2024

A dynamic debut in Prague by Alan Gilbert

By Frank Kuznik

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Toronto

Affection, respect and national pride: the Czech Philharmonic’s triumphant visit to Toronto

By Michelle Assay, 07 December 2024

Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic bring their Year of Czech Music to a triumphant conclusion in Toronto’s Koerner Hall, where Daniil Trifonov raises the roof with Dvořák’s neglected Piano Concerto.

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Toronto

07 Dec 2024

Czech Philharmonic’s triumphant visit to Toronto

By Michelle Assay

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New York City

Heritage and heart: Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic return to Carnegie Hall

By Edward Sava-Segal, 04 December 2024

Gil Shaham’s masterful artistry and amber tone illuminate Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, which masterfully fuses German Romanticism with Czech folk traditions.

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New York City

04 Dec 2024

Heritage and heart: Bychkov and the Czech Phil return to Carnegie Hall

By Edward Sava-Segal

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New York City

Inspired Dvořák and vibrant Smetana from the Czech Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall

By Susan Stempleski, 03 December 2024

Semyon Bychkov and the much-lauded ensemble are joined at Carnegie Hall by Yo-Yo Ma in dazzling performances from the Czech repertoire.

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New York City

03 Dec 2024

Inspired Dvořák and vibrant Smetana from the Czech Philharmonic

By Susan Stempleski

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Prague

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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Prague

Passionate Baroque from Antonini, Kožená and the Czech Phil in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 17 October 2024

Giovanni Antonini's colorful work with the Czech Philharmonic brightens a fervent performance by Magdalena Kožená.

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Prague

17 Oct 2024

Passionate Baroque from Antonini and the Czech Phil in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Plaudits and a promising residency for the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik, 25 September 2024

The orchestra doesn't miss a beat in opening the season with a substitute conductor Charles Dutoit and a dashing new artist-in-residence in Daniil Trifonov.

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Prague

25 Sep 2024

Plaudits and a promising residency for the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

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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London

Belief is everything: the Czech Philharmonic's resounding Glagolitic Mass at the BBC Proms

By Alexander Hall, 28 August 2024

Jakub Hrůša and his Czech forces give an impressive account of a mass which with its ecclesiastical elements, yet pantheistic spirit and visceral energy points towards a more secular age.

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London

28 Aug 2024

Czech Philharmonic's resounding Glagolitic Mass at the BBC Proms

By Alexander Hall

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London

Angelic and tragic: Czech Phil glistens in Dvořák and Suk at the BBC Proms

By Mark Thomas, 27 August 2024

The Year of Czech Music continues at the BBC Proms with a highly-shaped Dvořák Cello Concerto from Proms debutant Anastasia Kobekina and Suk’s monster of a symphony, Asrael.

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London

27 Aug 2024

Angelic and tragic: Czech Phil glistens in Dvořák and Suk at the Proms

By Mark Thomas

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Litomyšl

An intravenous dose of Czech patriotism: Smetana’s Libuše in Litomyšl

By David Karlin, 16 June 2024

Jakub Hrůsa, the Czech Philharmonic and a superb cast of singers give the full treatment to Smetana’s celebratory paean to the Czech nation.

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Litomyšl

16 Jun 2024

An intravenous dose of Czech patriotism: Libuše in Litomyšl

By David Karlin

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Prague

A banner Bystrouška in Prague: Jakub Hrůša conducts The Cunning Little Vixen

By Frank Kuznik, 11 April 2024

Jakub Hrůša returns to his Moravian roots leading the Czech Philharmonic in a stellar concert performance of Janáček's Cunning Little Vixen.

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Prague

11 Apr 2024

A banner Bystrouška in Prague: The Cunning Little Vixen

By Frank Kuznik

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Antwerp

The Czech Philharmonic thrills in an evening of Dvořák in Antwerp

By Marc Haegeman, 21 March 2024

What better way is there to celebrate Czech music than with an all-Dvořák programme brought by the Czech Philharmonic under their chief conductor Semyon Bychkov?

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Antwerp

21 Mar 2024

The Czech Philharmonic thrills in an evening of Dvořák in Antwerp

By Marc Haegeman

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Prague

Star power in Prague: Sir Simon Rattle and Yuja Wang with the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik, 08 February 2024

The Czech Philharmonic dazzles with Yuja Wang at the piano and makes history with Sir Simon Rattle on the podium.

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Prague

08 Feb 2024

Rattle signs on with the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

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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Prague

A memorable Czech Philharmonic debut by Pappano in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 17 November 2023

In his first appearance with the Czech Philharmonic, the conductor showed a deep respect for tradition and an innate feel for Czech music.

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Prague

17 Nov 2023

A memorable Czech Philharmonic debut by Pappano in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Diminishing Dvořák in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 12 October 2023

The composer's music is losing some of its national flavor as Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic prepare to take it abroad.

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Prague

12 Oct 2023

Diminishing Dvořák in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Refined Dvořák opens Czech Phil season

By Frank Kuznik, 27 September 2023

The orchestra and Semyon Bychkov warm up for a tour of the Far East aimed at winning hearts and minds for Czech music abroad.

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Prague

27 Sep 2023

Refined Dvořák opens Czech Phil season

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Boisterous Brahms at Dvořák’s Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 14 September 2023

Sakari Oramo leads the Czech Philharmonic in a powerful German Requiem with vocal support from the Prague Philharmonic Choir, Anu Komsi and Christian Senn.

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Prague

14 Sep 2023

Boisterous Brahms at Dvořák’s Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Prague Spring closes with a class act

By Frank Kuznik, 02 June 2023

Conductor Christoph Eschenbach brings style and sophistication to a freewheeling finale to this year's festival, ending with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

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Prague

02 Jun 2023

Prague Spring closes with a class act

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

An auspicious debut for John Adams at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik, 23 May 2023

A capacity crowd turns out to see the doyen of American composers work his contemporary magic in the Rudolfinum.

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Prague

23 May 2023

An auspicious debut for John Adams at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Das Paradies und die Peri: scintillating Schumann in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 20 April 2023

Daniel Harding made a memorable debut with the Czech Philharmonic, aided by a superb chorus and cast of singers.

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Prague

20 Apr 2023

Das Paradies und die Peri: scintillating Schumann in Prague

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Semyon Bychkov leads an electric evening at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik, 16 March 2023

The Czech Philharmonic give sharp, spirited performances of cutting-edge compositions, including the world premiere of Thierry Escaich's new piano concerto.

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Prague

16 Mar 2023

Semyon Bychkov leads an electric evening at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

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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Prague

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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Prague

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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Prague

The Czech Philharmonic debuts a bold new Prague Symphony

By Frank Kuznik, 08 December 2022

Detlev Glanert's homage to Kafka highlights an evening of stellar sounds and talent, including Johan Dalene playing Sibelius.

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Prague

08 Dec 2022

The Czech Philharmonic debuts a bold new Prague Symphony

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

A model residency for the Czech Philharmonic at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik, 25 November 2022

With fresh programming and superb performances, artists-in-residence Magdalena Kožená and Sir Simon Rattle add another dimension to the Czech Philharmonic season.

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Prague

25 Nov 2022

A model residency for the Czech Philharmonic at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Revolution and remembrance in Bychkov's Shostakovich at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik, 05 October 2022

After a brilliant showing by pianist Behzod Abduraimov, Semyon Bychkov leads the Czech Philarharmonic in a 65-year-old work that could not be more contemporary.

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Prague

05 Oct 2022

Revolution and remembrance in Bychkov's Shostakovich at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Batiashvili and Bychkov in memorable opener for the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik, 28 September 2022

The orchestra celebrates its 127th season with an evening of exciting excursions, onstage and off.

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Prague

28 Sep 2022

Batiashvili and Bychkov in memorable opener for the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik

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Edinburgh

Out of the shadows: Mahler’s Seventh from Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic

By Roy Westbrook, 21 August 2022

For its second concert at the Edinburgh International Festival, the Czech Phil offers colourful, rousing playing in Gustav Mahler's Seventh Symphony.

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Edinburgh

21 Aug 2022

Out of the shadows: Mahler’s Seventh from Bychkov and the Czech Phil

By Roy Westbrook

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Edinburgh

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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Prague

Michael Tilson Thomas makes a memorable debut with the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik, 09 June 2022

The American conductor brings a New World sound and sensibility to a storied Old World setting.

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Prague

09 Jun 2022

Tilson Thomas makes a memorable debut with the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

A compelling voice from the New World: David Robertson at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik, 20 May 2022

Leading the Czech Philharmonic in a sampling of works by Charles Ives, Robertson built a bridge between Old World sensibilities and contemporary musical ideas.

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Prague

20 May 2022

Compelling voice from the New World: David Robertson at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik

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London

Slava! The Czech Philharmonic and Semyon Bychkov glory in Dvořák and Janáček

By Roy Westbrook, 16 March 2022

There could be no more appropriate choice than the Glagolitic Mass, with its text of Old Church Slavonic, for a concert which Bychkov had dedicated to the people of Ukraine.

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London

16 Mar 2022

Slava! The Czech Phil and Bychkov glory in Dvořák and Janáček

By Roy Westbrook

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London

Dazzling Rachmaninov from Yuja Wang, nostalgic Smetana from the Czech Philharmonic

By Mark Pullinger, 15 March 2022

Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic continue their European tour at the Barbican, pairing Smetana's paean to his homeland with Rachmaninov's early piano concerto.

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London

15 Mar 2022

Dazzling Rachmaninov from Yuja Wang with Bychkov and the Czech Phil

By Mark Pullinger

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Prague

The Czech Phil rockin' out at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik, 15 December 2021

Semyon Bychkov takes the Czech Philharmonic on a joy ride through heavy-duty Russian repertoire and a rock star's woodland fantasy.

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Prague

15 Dec 2021

The Czech Phil rockin' out at the Rudolfinum

By Frank Kuznik

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Prague

Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic celebrate 32 years of freedom

By Frank Kuznik, 17 November 2021

Two luminaries of the new generation of Czech talent bring a fresh spirit to a vibrant commemorative concert.

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Prague

17 Nov 2021

Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic celebrate 32 years of freedom

By Frank Kuznik

Prague

Electrifying Shostakovich in Prague from Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik, 29 September 2021

Semyon Bychkov opens the new Czech Philharmonic season with a passionate personal commemoration.

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Prague

29 Sep 2021

Electrifying Shostakovich in Prague from Bychkov and the Czech Phil

By Frank Kuznik

Prague

Mark Wigglesworth and the Czech Phil offer a bright finale at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik, 03 June 2021

Czech tenor Petr Nekoranec adds luster to a performance attuned to troubled times.

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Prague

03 Jun 2021

Czech Phil offers a bright finale at Prague Spring

By Frank Kuznik

Prague

Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic reveal the consolations of nature

By Alexander Hall, 09 March 2021

Elgar’s elegiac cello concerto with Alisa Weilerstein’s majestic assumption of the solo part, coupled with a late Romantic masterpiece in the capable hands of Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Philharmonic.

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Prague

09 Mar 2021

Jakub Hrůša and the Czech Phil reveal the consolations of nature

By Alexander Hall

Prague

A magical moment in Prague: Tomáš Netopil conducts the Czech Philharmonic

By Frank Kuznik, 20 December 2020

The Czech Philharmonic caps its Advent series with a fine showing of homegrown talent and a memorable Christmas gift.

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Prague

20 Dec 2020

A magical moment in Prague

By Frank Kuznik