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Bamberg Symphony Orchestra

Conductor

Jakub Hrůša

Orchestra

Instrumentalist

Ivo Kahánek

Piano

Jakub Hrůša, Ivo Kahánek

Bayreuth

Germany

Markgräfliches Opernhaus

Bamberg

Konzerthalle

Joseph-Keilberth-Saal

Jakub Hrůša, Ivo Kahánek: The Two Widows Smetana (+2 More)

Public

Concert

Oratorio / Orchestral

Two Widows

Piano Concerto in G minor, op. 33

Symphony No. 4

Paul Koneri

Approved

»I love Czech music, and I want to share what I love with other people creatively.« Jakub Hrůša once said this in an interview, and this programme is another wonderful example thereof. The pleasure of listening is also complemented by an artist from his homeland: Ivo Kahánek is the soloist in the much too rarely performed piano concerto by Dvořák – the very composer who is always close to our Chief Conductor's heart, as he put it: »This music is like mother’s milk for me.« The symphonic piano concerto from 1876, packed with folklore, flourishes from the way the pianist and orchestra toss the thematic balls to and fro in a captivating and supple way. Before this, there is a likewise endearing piece to set the mood and thus even a double anniversary: Smetana was born in the Czech Republic in 1824 and the premiere of his comic opera »The Two Widows« took place in Prague in 1874 under his baton – a work that is set somewhere in Bohemia on an aristocratic estate and features a sparkling overture. Finally, we delve into the world of Beethoven, whose compositions are (not only) part of Jakub Hrůša’s core repertoire. Schumann described his Symphony No. 4 from 1806 as a »slender Greek maiden between two Northland giants«, as it was composed between the courageous »Eroica« and the glorious Fifth. It is a friendly work with enchanting melodies, as Beethoven was madly in love with a young noblewoman at the time – which is why a contemporary commented: »While writing this symphony, his heart must have nearly burst with joy.«

English

Jakub Hrůša, Ivo Kahánek by Smetana, Dvořák, Beethoven, From (2024/2024), Conductor Jakub Hrůša, Konzerthalle, Bamberg, Germany

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