Modern mayhem from Thomas Adès and the Czech Philharmonic

Thomas Adès conducts the Czech Philharmonic

Václav Petr and the Czech Philharmonic cellists

By Frank Kuznik, 08 December 2025

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“The Exterminating Angel Symphony roared through the Rudolfinum like a runaway train”

Reviewed at Rudolfinum: Dvořák Hall, Prague on 5 December 2025

Busoni, Tanzwalzer, Op.53

Boulez, Messagesquisse, for solo cello & 6 cellos

Kurtág, Petite musique solennelle en hommage à Pierre Boulez 90 (Czech premiere)

Adès, Air – Homage to Sibelius (Czech premiere)

Adès, The Exterminating Angel Symphony (Czech premiere)

Ravel, La Valse

Josef Špaček Jr, Violin

Václav Petr, Cello

Czech Philharmonic

Thomas Adès, Conductor

Sol Gabetta bares her soul in Elgar on Czech Phil tour

Clare Varney, 23rd April

Semyon Bychkov conducts the Czech Phil on their latest European tour with the music of Elgar and Stravinsky.

****1

A heartfelt reunion with the Czech Philharmonic in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 19th March

A stellar soloist and deft work by Semyon Bychkov put a fresh spin on familiar fare in the Rudolfinum.

****1

Searing Kindertotenlieder from Fleur Barron and Czech Philharmonic

Gianmarco Segato, 18th February

Fleur Barron delivers a searing Kindertotenlieder in the Czech Philharmonic's mini-survey of the Germanic Romantic repertoire under Semyon Bychkov.

****1

Rockin’ at the Rudolfinum: the Czech Phil plays Bryce Dessner

Frank Kuznik, 5th February

American guitarist and composer Bryce Dessner brings a subdued palette to his debut appearance with the Czech Philharmonic.

****1

Chills and thrills from Pappano and the Czech Philharmonic

Frank Kuznik, 27th November

In expert hands, a terrifying 12-tone opera and a heroic piano concerto rattle the walls in Prague’s Rudolfinum.

*****

Spirited Velvet Revolution concert from Oramo and the Czech Phil

Frank Kuznik, 16th November

Conducted by Sakari Oramo, the Czech Philharmonic turn in a brilliant performance of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony that lights all the old revolutionary fires.

*****

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Frank Kuznik

Frank Kuznik is the former Editor-in-Chief and Culture Editor of The Prague Post, Central Europe’s premier English-language weekly newspaper. He currently divides his time between Prague and his hometown in the US, Cleveland, where he covers northeast Ohio's dynamic classical music scene. In Prague he is an habitué of the Rudolfinum, National Theater, State Opera and other storied classical music venues, and an unabashed fan of Czech music.