Heavyweight Shostakovich from Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Phil

Semyon Bychkov conducts the Czech Philharmonic

Sheku Kanneh-Mason and the Czech Philharmonic

Semyon Bychkov conducts the Czech Philharmonic

By Mark Pullinger, 08 March 2025

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“a hollow victory... under Bychkov’s baton, deliberate, mechanical, defiant”

Reviewed at Barbican Hall, London on 7 March 2025

Shostakovich, Cello Concerto no. 1 in E flat major, Op.107

Bach, Cello suite no. 1 in G major, BWV1007: Sarabande (Prelude 3)

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 5 in D minor, Op.47

Elgar, Enigma Variations, Op.36: Nimrod

Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Cello

Czech Philharmonic

Semyon Bychkov, 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

Modern mayhem from Thomas Adès and the Czech Philharmonic

Frank Kuznik, 5th December

The composer and conductor celebrates Pierre Boulez's 100th birthday in fine fashion with a smart program and fervent work from both sides of the podium.

*****

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.

*****

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Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.

Heavyweight Shostakovich from Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic