Bracing Beethoven at Dvořák’s Prague

Paavo Järvi

Ivo Kahánek and the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich

The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich

By Frank Kuznik, 11 September 2023

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“Kahánek has an almost magical touch with the Czech repertoire”

Reviewed at Rudolfinum: Dvořák Hall, Prague on 8 September 2023

Beethoven, Piano Concerto no. 3 in C minor, Op.37

Chopin, Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op.66

Martinů, Three Czech Dances (Dupák)

Bruckner, Symphony no. 9 in D minor, WAB 109

Ivo Kahánek, Piano

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich

Paavo Järvi, Conductor

Sonic brilliance and immersive energy from the Tonhalle in Hamburg

Mengguang Huang, 16th March

At the Elbphilharmonie, a programme of Ligeti, Adams and Lutosławski showcases the power of modern orchestral music to engage both intellectually and emotionally.

*****

Bright and breezy Dvořák as the Tonhalle returns to the Proms

Mark Pullinger, 30th August

A familiar face on the London scene, Paavo Järvi brings the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich to the Proms for the first time since 2014.

****1

Fledgling Schubert and domesticated Strauss brighten up the Tonhalle

Sarah Batschelet, 8th February

Zurich’s Tonhalle Orchestra give a stunning performance of works by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss under guest conductor Franz Welser-Möst.

****1

Berlioz and Brahms brighten up the Tonhalle

Sarah Batschelet, 27th January

The Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich plays Schoenberg's orchestration of Brahms' G minor Piano Quartet, while Antoine Tamestit joins the orchestra as wandering soloist in Berlioz' Harold in Italy.

****1

Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle show their class at the Elbphilharmonie

Alexander Hall, 12th November

Fazıl Say's Mozart is an acquired taste, but Paavo Järvi's Bruckner is a masterclass in how to conduct this composer.

****1

Paavo Järvi's mighty Bruckner 8 at the Elbphilharmonie

Alexander Hall, 11th November

Bruckner's Eighth Symphony should never leave you cold. It is almost impossible for any interpreter to satisfy all expectations in such a multi-faceted work, but Paavo Järvi came pretty close.

*****

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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.