In Prague, Brad Mehldau offers a fresh take on Bach

Brad Mehldau

Brad Mehldau and the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Clark Rundell conducts the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

By Frank Kuznik, 16 October 2023

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“his improvisations honor rather than exploit Bach”

Reviewed at Rudolfinum: Dvořák Hall, Prague on 15 October 2023

Mehldau, Improvisation on themes from Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach, Well-Tempered Clavier 1: Prelude and Fugue No. 10 in E Minor, BWV855 (orch. Stravinsky)

Bach, O Mensch, bewein' dein' Suende gross (Orgel-Büchlein) in E Flat Major, BWV622 (orch. Reger)

Bach, The Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer), BWV1079: Ricercar a 3 (orch. Webern)

Bach, Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue), BWV1080, Contrapunctus XIX (orch. Rundell)

Mehldau, Piano Concerto

Brad Mehldau, Piano

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Clark Rundell, Conductor

Skating on Thin Ice: a bracing Ondřej Adámek premiere in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 23rd February

Conducted by Jonathan Nott, the Prague RSO gives a vivid account of a new work by Czech composer Ondřej Adámek with a virtuoso assist from violinist Christian Tetzlaff.

****1

Omer Meir Wellber conducts a winter warmer in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 11th December

With an assist from Gidon Kremer, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra shines in an overheated, challenging program.

***11

Popelka leads a fiery finish for Dvořák’s Prague

Frank Kuznik, 25th September

Petr Popelka takes the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra to heavenly heights with help from a brilliant group of of vocalists.

****1

A Dvořák revival fit for a king in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 19th September

Dvořák's failed King and Charcoal Burner gets a second chance and new life at his namesake festival.

****1

Prague Spring finishes with a stirring farewell

Frank Kuznik, 2nd June

Krzysztof Penderecki leads a masterful performance and powerful tribute to Jiří Bělohlávek.

*****

Opening concert Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad

David Karlin, 30th January

Sommets Musicaux de Gstaad opens with a programme of beautiful music and a pair of fine soloists, but a concert somewhat let down by a lack of rapport between soloists and orchestra.

***11

More reviews...

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.