Prague Spring finishes with a stirring farewell

By Frank Kuznik, 05 June 2017

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“Had the proscenium of Smetana Hall rent like a Philistine temple...it would not have been surprising”

Reviewed at Municipal House: Smetana Hall, Prague on 2 June 2017

Krejčí, Serenade for orchestra

Penderecki, Symphony no. 7 "Seven Gates of Jerusalem”

Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

Krzysztof Penderecki, Conductor

Iwona Hossa, Soprano

Karolina Sikora, Mezzo-soprano

Agnieszka Rehlis, Mezzo-soprano

Rafał Bartmiński, Tenor

Tomasz Kuk, Tenor

Piotr Nowacki, Bass

Pawel Kolodziej, Bass

David Švehlík, Narrator

Slovak Philharmonic Choir

Jozef Chabroň, Choirmaster / chorus director

Sławomir Holland, Narrator

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

In Prague, Brad Mehldau offers a fresh take on Bach

Frank Kuznik, 15th October

Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra offer a different perspective on the Baroque master.

****1

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

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

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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.