Prague Spring plugs in and lights up

By Frank Kuznik, 31 May 2017

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“a kaleidoscope of hums, whistles, roars, rumbles, percussion and an occasional recognizable chord”

Reviewed at National Technical Museum, Prague on 29 May 2017

Reich, New York Counterpoint

Rataj, Sentenceless Sentence

Goebbels, Bagatellen (Czech première)

Trojan, Circulation (World première)

Karel Dohnal, Clarinet

Miro Tóth, Saxophone

David Danel, Violin

Jan Trojan, Electronics

Bamberger Symphoniker: Wenn Töne aussagen, was Worte nicht fassen

Michael Vieth, 19th January

Brillante Solisten in Konzerten von Copland und Martinů sind die symphonischen Erzähler eines abwechslungsreichen Konzertabends der Bamberger Symphoniker unter Leitung von Jakub Hrůša

****1

Lost for words: Asmik Grigorian excels at Wigmore Hall

Roy Westbrook, 26th May

A first half of vocalises gives way to all Strauss after the interval as the Lithuanian superstar soprano helps Wigmore Hall celebrate its 125th anniversary.

****1

A self-congratulatory Cecilia Bartoli show at Salzburg Whitsun

Laura Servidei, 24th May

This year’s Salzburg Whitsun Festival gala, Ciao, bella ciao, features Cecilia Bartoli in a highly personalised musical programme structured as an autobiographical journey, unfolding as a blend of concert and self-portrait.

Sumptuous Sheffield Chamber Music Festival finale

Phil Parker, 23rd May

Ensemble 360 and soprano Claire Booth test to the limits the definition of ‘chamber music’ in this richly orchestral closing concert of the 2026 Sheffield Chamber Music Festival.

****1

More gold than corn: María Dueñas plays Korngold at the Barbican

Mark Pullinger, 22nd May

The young Spanish violinist proves an ardent advocate for a work originally dismissed as a “Hollywood Concerto” as the BBC Symphony Orchestra closes its Barbican season.

****1

Memorable Mendelssohn from Marek Janowski and the New York Phil

Susan Stempleski, 21st May

Principal Trumpet Christopher Martin plays Haydn before the esteemed German maestro conducts a vibrant Scottish Symphony.

****1

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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.