Plugging in at Prague Spring's tribute to the theremin

By Frank Kuznik, 28 May 2019

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“the presentation was strikingly traditional and the sound seamless”

Reviewed at Rudolfinum: Dvořák Hall, Prague on 24 May 2019

Haydn, String Quartet no. 22 in G major, Op.17 no.5, Hob III:29

Martinů, String Quartet no. 3, H 183

Rataj, æther (World premiere)

Martinů, Butterflies and Birds of Paradise H.127

Martinů, Fantasia for string quartet, piano, oboe and theremin, H 301

Carolina Eyck, Theremin

Alžběta Jamborová, Oboe

Karel Košárek, Piano

Bennewitz Quartet

The Bennewitz Quartet at Wigmore Hall

Hazel Rowland, 29th December

The Bennewitz Quartet perform works by the Viennese masters Schubert and Webern, and by their Czech compatriot Dvořák, with varying degrees of success.

***11

Theremin magic and a sinister toyshop at the BBC Proms

Mark Pullinger, 4th August

Carolina Eyck uncovers the dark art of playing the theremin and John Storgårds conducts Kaija Saariaho's Vista and Shostakovich's enigmatic final symphony.

***11

Philadelphia Orchestra debuts Tyshawn Sorey's static Piano Concerto

Cameron Kelsall, 15th May

Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads the premiere of For Marilyn Crispell alongside the 1873 version of Bruckner's "Wagner Symphony", the Third.

***11

Elgarian emotion from the Benedetti, Karabits and the RSNO

Simon Thompson, 15th May

Nicola Benedetti’s Elgar is a slow burn in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, but Kirill Karabits’ Firebird instantly ignites.

****1

Hilary Hahn’s French odyssey of refinement and fire in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 14th May

Two technical mishaps punctuate the evening, but Hilary Hahn maintains poise throughout a French programme crowned by a finely judged, deeply expressive performance of Fauré.

****1

Frank Dupree’s Liverpool debut has the audience crying out for more

Glyn Mon Hughes, 14th May

Frank Dupree’s debut with the RLPO celebrates the 250th anniversary of the USA, with Liverpool audiences treated to sumptuous Copland and barn-storming performances of Gershwin and Duke Ellington.

*****

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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.