The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra concluded its three-day stint under the auspices of Cal Performances with a thunderous and darkly dramatic account of the Sixth Symphony [...] an impressive and even revelatory rendition. The imposing Viennese forces, mustered under the fluidly commanding leadership of conductor Semyon Bychkov, gave the most potent performance of their stay, marked by massive textures and fearlessly tragic rhetoric. (San Francisco Chronicle, March 2011)
Better performances of the two works you'll probably very rarely encounter. [...] Bell and Bychkov had the audience transfixed in the transition from the first to the second movement [of the Bruch concerto]. Magic then took possession of the hall, where at times no-one dared to breathe. Bychkov then marshalled the score of Shostakovich's Eleventh with a masterly hand. (Trouw, January 2011)
Semyon has been receiving a host of fantastic press from the run of Tannhäuser at The Royal Opera House. The Financial Times commented 'Bychkov provided a near-ideal balance of architectural vision and luminous detail', whereas the Independent wrote 'In the pit, Semyon Bychkov turned good Wagner into great Wagner bringing the full and glorious force of the Royal Opera Chorus forward for Wagner's hopeful peroration.'
Semyon 'frequently managed to bewitch. Yielding completely to the Andante's lyricism, Bychkov tapped deep reserves of orchestral warmth and tenderness'. As reported by Cleveland.com after a performace of Brahms Symphony No 3, October 2010.
The press from Semyon's guest conducting engagements with the Oslo Philharmic reveals a triumphant debut appearance with the Orchestra. The Culture Mirror described the concert as 'Absolutely invigorating!', where as the Dagbladet reported of Walton's Symphony No 1 that 'Bychkov steered the stream of notes confidently and with authority, making the music in it shine through'