Keeping the Martinů flame alive in Prague

By Frank Kuznik, 20 December 2021

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“turbulent emotional rapids with flashes of upheaval, anxiety and melancholy”

Reviewed at Liechtenstein Palace: Martinů Hall, Prague on 17 December 2021

Martinů, String Quartet no. 2, H150

Hindemith, Ludus minor

Martinů, Vigilie, H 382

Roussel, Trio for flute, viola and cello, Op.40

Husa, Postcard from Home

Martinů, Piano Quintet no. 2, H 298

Wihan Quartet

Žofie Šrámková, Flute

Ivo Kahánek, Piano

Michal Kaňka, Cello

Jiří Hlaváč, Clarinet

Michal Novenko, Organ

Czech fare from the Wihan Quartet at Bradfield Festival

Steve Draper, 27th June

The Wihan Quartet reinforce their reputation as top interpreters of Dvořák at the Bradfield Festival.

*****

The Wihan Quartet play Dvořák, Ravel and Mozart at Turner Sims

Edward Whitney, 15th November

The Wihan Quartet was formed in 1985 in Czechoslovakia. Since then they have developed an impressive international career, often visiting the UK and being broadcast on its airwaves. Among their achievements is a published recording of Dvořák’s String Quartet no. 11, and it was this recording, not their continued and celebrated presence in the UK, that first brought them to my attention.

***11

Perfection is constantly in Mind

Bachtrack webmaster, 5th June

This was one of two concerts to celebrate the Wihan Quartet's 25th anniversary. Both were at London’s Wigmore Hall which has become the ideal venue for young and established groups on the International scene playing chamber music for all sorts of combinations.

Wihan Quartet play Czech music

David Karlin, 5th June

For the first of their pair of 25th Anniversary concerts at the Wigmore Hall, the Wihan Quartet chose a programme of three quartets from their native Czech, from Martinů, Dvořák and Smetana. You might have expected four musicians from Czech to have an affinity for this work, and you would not have been disappointed.

Bracing Beethoven at Dvořák’s Prague

Frank Kuznik, 8th September

Now in its 23rd year, the festival offers a broader perspective on its namesake's influences and music as this program by the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Paavo Järvi demonstrates.

****1

Compelling voice from the New World: David Robertson at Prague Spring

Frank Kuznik, 20th May

Leading the Czech Philharmonic in a sampling of works by Charles Ives, Robertson built a bridge between Old World sensibilities and contemporary musical ideas.

****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.