SEMYON BYCHKOV
Chief Conductor & Music Director – Czech Philharmonic
Otto Klemperer Chair of Conducting – Royal Academy of Music
Günter Wand Conducting Chair – BBC Symphony Orchestra
BIOGRAPHY
Marking his fifth season as Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic in 2022-23, Semyon Bychkov’s season started in Prague with the official concert to mark the Czech Republic’s Presidency of the EU and continued at the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival with concert performances of Dvořák’s Rusalka, later conducting the work a new production of the work at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
In recent seasons, the focus of Bychkov’s work with the Czech Philharmonic has turned to the music of Gustav Mahler with performances of the symphonies at its home in Prague, on tour and ultimately on disc. Performances during the season feature Mahler symphonies at the Edinburgh International Festival, Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Mahler Festival, and in Paris, Luxembourg, Graz, Vienna, Budapest and Milan. PENTATONE’s complete Mahler cycle with Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic launched in 2022 with Mahler’s Symphony Nos. 4 and has subsequently seen the release of Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 2.
CONCERT SCHEDULE
march
19mar8:00 pmMunich, Germany - Czech Philharmonic; Pablo Ferrández, cello - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Othello, concert overture, Op. 93 Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 Performing with Pablo Ferrández,
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Othello, concert overture, Op. 93
Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
Performing with
Pablo Ferrández, cello
Czech Philharmonic
The second concert of the Munich residency will present more masterpieces by Antonín Dvořák. Under the baton of Semyon Bychkov, the orchestra will play the concert overture Othello, the Cello Concerto with Spanish virtuoso Pablo Ferrández, and the Seventh Symphony.
Time
(Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Isarphilharmonie
Stadtwerke-areal Hp8, Munich
21mar8:00 pmAntwerp, Belgium - Czech Philharmonic; Bertrand Chamayou, piano - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Carnival Overture, Op. 92 Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World” Performing
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”
Performing with
Bertrand Chamayou, piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic has performed in Antwerp only once, in 1937 led by Rafael Kubelík, so their return is eagerly awaited. The orchestra’s first appearance at Queen Elisabeth Hall will present a programme of works by Antonín Dvořák. The French virtuoso Bertrand Chamayou will make his first appearance on the tour to play the Piano Concerto.
more
Time
(Thursday) 8:00 pm
Location
Koningin Elisabethzaal - Antwerp
Koningin Astridplein, 2000 Antwerp
22mar8:00 pmParis, France - Czech Philharmonic; Pablo Ferrández, cello - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 Performing with Pablo Ferrández, cello Czech Philharmonic The Czech Philharmonic comes to
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88
Performing with
Pablo Ferrández, cello
Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic comes to the Philharmonie de Paris regularly, and for the third time it will present itself in a residency of multiple concerts, having done so previously in the autumn of 2019 and in the autumn of 2022. This time it is coming with chief conductor Semyon Bychkov with all-Dvořák programmes
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm
Location
Philharmonie Paris
221 avenue Jean Jaures, 75019 Paris
23mar8:00 pmParis, France - Czech Philharmonic; Bertrand Chamayou, piano - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World” Performing with Bertrand Chamayou, piano Czech Philharmonic The
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”
Performing with
Bertrand Chamayou, piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic has performed in Antwerp only once, in 1937 led by Rafael Kubelík, so their return is eagerly awaited. The orchestra’s first appearance at Queen Elisabeth Hall will present a programme of works by Antonín Dvořák. The French virtuoso Bertrand Chamayou will make his first appearance on the tour to play the Piano Concerto.
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm
Location
Philharmonie Paris
221 avenue Jean Jaures, 75019 Paris
april
11apr7:00 pmHamburg, Germany - NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester - Mahler
Event Details
Programme: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand” Performing with Carolyn Sampson, soprano Lyubov Petrova, soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano Andreas Schager, tenor Adam Plachetka, bass David
Event Details
Programme:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand”
Performing with
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Lyubov Petrova, soprano
Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
Andreas Schager, tenor
Adam Plachetka, bass
David Leigh, bass
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Knabenchor Hannover
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Whenever there is mention of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8, the superlatives begin to fly. The common epithet »Symphony of a Thousand« – which did not originate from the composer – already gives a taste of this. Mahler himself described his largest-scale choral work as »the greatest thing I have ever done«. And he certainly wasn’t just referring to the gigantic apparatus of some 500 performers, which required not only a huge orchestra and numerous choirs but also no less than eight soloists. It was, above all, a tremendous spiritual and religious quality that Mahler associated with this symphony. The passages he chose for inspiration were no less than the holy of holies of German national literature, the final scene from Goethe’s Faust II, and the time-honoured Pentecost hymn »Veni, creator spiritus«.
Its premiere on 12 September 1910 was an overwhelming success. Even the great Thomas Mann was incredibly impressed, writing a letter of thanks to the composer, referring to him as »the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.«
To this day, performances of Mahler’s Eighth remain a rare spectacle. After all, it is not every day that you have top ensembles like the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, the NDR Vokalensemble, the Knabenchor Hannover and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra come together with a first-class octet of soloists! And it is not everywhere that the stage can accommodate everyone, but this is no problem in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. After his acclaimed performances of the Symphony No. 3 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the star conductor Semyon Bychkov now continues his Mahler series, bringing the greatest that the classical and romantic repertoire has to offer to the podium.
more
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm
Location
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457
12apr7:00 pmHamburg, Germany - NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester - Mahler
Event Details
Programme: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand” Performing with Carolyn Sampson, soprano Lyubov Petrova, soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano Andreas Schager, tenor Adam Plachetka, bass David
Event Details
Programme:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand”
Performing with
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Lyubov Petrova, soprano
Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
Andreas Schager, tenor
Adam Plachetka, bass
David Leigh, bass
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Knabenchor Hannover
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Whenever there is mention of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8, the superlatives begin to fly. The common epithet »Symphony of a Thousand« – which did not originate from the composer – already gives a taste of this. Mahler himself described his largest-scale choral work as »the greatest thing I have ever done«. And he certainly wasn’t just referring to the gigantic apparatus of some 500 performers, which required not only a huge orchestra and numerous choirs but also no less than eight soloists. It was, above all, a tremendous spiritual and religious quality that Mahler associated with this symphony. The passages he chose for inspiration were no less than the holy of holies of German national literature, the final scene from Goethe’s Faust II, and the time-honoured Pentecost hymn »Veni, creator spiritus«.
Its premiere on 12 September 1910 was an overwhelming success. Even the great Thomas Mann was incredibly impressed, writing a letter of thanks to the composer, referring to him as »the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.«
To this day, performances of Mahler’s Eighth remain a rare spectacle. After all, it is not every day that you have top ensembles like the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, the NDR Vokalensemble, the Knabenchor Hannover and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra come together with a first-class octet of soloists! And it is not everywhere that the stage can accommodate everyone, but this is no problem in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. After his acclaimed performances of the Symphony No. 3 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the star conductor Semyon Bychkov now continues his Mahler series, bringing the greatest that the classical and romantic repertoire has to offer to the podium.
more
Time
(Friday) 7:00 pm
Location
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457
14apr5:00 pmHamburg, Germany - NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester - Mahler
Event Details
Programme: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand” Performing with Carolyn Sampson, soprano Lyubov Petrova, soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano Andreas Schager, tenor Adam Plachetka, bass David
Event Details
Programme:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand”
Performing with
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Lyubov Petrova, soprano
Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
Andreas Schager, tenor
Adam Plachetka, bass
David Leigh, bass
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Knabenchor Hannover
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Whenever there is mention of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8, the superlatives begin to fly. The common epithet »Symphony of a Thousand« – which did not originate from the composer – already gives a taste of this. Mahler himself described his largest-scale choral work as »the greatest thing I have ever done«. And he certainly wasn’t just referring to the gigantic apparatus of some 500 performers, which required not only a huge orchestra and numerous choirs but also no less than eight soloists. It was, above all, a tremendous spiritual and religious quality that Mahler associated with this symphony. The passages he chose for inspiration were no less than the holy of holies of German national literature, the final scene from Goethe’s Faust II, and the time-honoured Pentecost hymn »Veni, creator spiritus«.
Its premiere on 12 September 1910 was an overwhelming success. Even the great Thomas Mann was incredibly impressed, writing a letter of thanks to the composer, referring to him as »the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.«
To this day, performances of Mahler’s Eighth remain a rare spectacle. After all, it is not every day that you have top ensembles like the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, the NDR Vokalensemble, the Knabenchor Hannover and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra come together with a first-class octet of soloists! And it is not everywhere that the stage can accommodate everyone, but this is no problem in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. After his acclaimed performances of the Symphony No. 3 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the star conductor Semyon Bychkov now continues his Mahler series, bringing the greatest that the classical and romantic repertoire has to offer to the podium.
more
Time
(Sunday) 5:00 pm
Location
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457
17apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic; Steven Osborne, piano - Beethoven, Brahms
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Wednesday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Wednesday) 10:00 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
18apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic; Steven Osborne, piano - Beethoven, Brahms
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
19apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic; Steven Osborne, piano - Beethoven, Brahms
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
24apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic - Shostakovich
Event Details
Programme Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′) Performing with Czech Philharmonic Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in
Event Details
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′)
Performing with
Czech Philharmonic
Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in 1942, is a key work in Bychkov’s repertoire. One reason is his familial connection to Leningrad of that era, and a second is the conductor’s love of Shostakovich’s works for their authenticity and close ties to Russian history.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
25apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic - Shostakovich
Event Details
Programme Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′) Performing with Czech Philharmonic Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in
Event Details
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′)
Performing with
Czech Philharmonic
Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in 1942, is a key work in Bychkov’s repertoire. One reason is his familial connection to Leningrad of that era, and a second is the conductor’s love of Shostakovich’s works for their authenticity and close ties to Russian history.
Time
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
26apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic - Shostakovich
Event Details
Programme Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′) Performing with Czech Philharmonic Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in
Event Details
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′)
Performing with
Czech Philharmonic
Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in 1942, is a key work in Bychkov’s repertoire. One reason is his familial connection to Leningrad of that era, and a second is the conductor’s love of Shostakovich’s works for their authenticity and close ties to Russian history.
Time
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
CONCERT SCHEDULE
march
19mar8:00 pmMunich, Germany - Czech Philharmonic; Pablo Ferrández, cello - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Othello, concert overture, Op. 93 Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70 Performing with Pablo Ferrández,
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Othello, concert overture, Op. 93
Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op. 70
Performing with
Pablo Ferrández, cello
Czech Philharmonic
The second concert of the Munich residency will present more masterpieces by Antonín Dvořák. Under the baton of Semyon Bychkov, the orchestra will play the concert overture Othello, the Cello Concerto with Spanish virtuoso Pablo Ferrández, and the Seventh Symphony.
Time
(Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Isarphilharmonie
Stadtwerke-areal Hp8, Munich
21mar8:00 pmAntwerp, Belgium - Czech Philharmonic; Bertrand Chamayou, piano - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Carnival Overture, Op. 92 Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World” Performing
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Carnival Overture, Op. 92
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”
Performing with
Bertrand Chamayou, piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic has performed in Antwerp only once, in 1937 led by Rafael Kubelík, so their return is eagerly awaited. The orchestra’s first appearance at Queen Elisabeth Hall will present a programme of works by Antonín Dvořák. The French virtuoso Bertrand Chamayou will make his first appearance on the tour to play the Piano Concerto.
more
Time
(Thursday) 8:00 pm
Location
Koningin Elisabethzaal - Antwerp
Koningin Astridplein, 2000 Antwerp
22mar8:00 pmParis, France - Czech Philharmonic; Pablo Ferrández, cello - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 Performing with Pablo Ferrández, cello Czech Philharmonic The Czech Philharmonic comes to
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88
Performing with
Pablo Ferrández, cello
Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic comes to the Philharmonie de Paris regularly, and for the third time it will present itself in a residency of multiple concerts, having done so previously in the autumn of 2019 and in the autumn of 2022. This time it is coming with chief conductor Semyon Bychkov with all-Dvořák programmes
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm
Location
Philharmonie Paris
221 avenue Jean Jaures, 75019 Paris
23mar8:00 pmParis, France - Czech Philharmonic; Bertrand Chamayou, piano - Dvořák
Event Details
Programme: Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33 Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World” Performing with Bertrand Chamayou, piano Czech Philharmonic The
Event Details
Programme:
Antonín Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 33
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 “From the New World”
Performing with
Bertrand Chamayou, piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic has performed in Antwerp only once, in 1937 led by Rafael Kubelík, so their return is eagerly awaited. The orchestra’s first appearance at Queen Elisabeth Hall will present a programme of works by Antonín Dvořák. The French virtuoso Bertrand Chamayou will make his first appearance on the tour to play the Piano Concerto.
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm
Location
Philharmonie Paris
221 avenue Jean Jaures, 75019 Paris
april
11apr7:00 pmHamburg, Germany - NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester - Mahler
Event Details
Programme: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand” Performing with Carolyn Sampson, soprano Lyubov Petrova, soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano Andreas Schager, tenor Adam Plachetka, bass David
Event Details
Programme:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand”
Performing with
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Lyubov Petrova, soprano
Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
Andreas Schager, tenor
Adam Plachetka, bass
David Leigh, bass
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Knabenchor Hannover
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Whenever there is mention of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8, the superlatives begin to fly. The common epithet »Symphony of a Thousand« – which did not originate from the composer – already gives a taste of this. Mahler himself described his largest-scale choral work as »the greatest thing I have ever done«. And he certainly wasn’t just referring to the gigantic apparatus of some 500 performers, which required not only a huge orchestra and numerous choirs but also no less than eight soloists. It was, above all, a tremendous spiritual and religious quality that Mahler associated with this symphony. The passages he chose for inspiration were no less than the holy of holies of German national literature, the final scene from Goethe’s Faust II, and the time-honoured Pentecost hymn »Veni, creator spiritus«.
Its premiere on 12 September 1910 was an overwhelming success. Even the great Thomas Mann was incredibly impressed, writing a letter of thanks to the composer, referring to him as »the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.«
To this day, performances of Mahler’s Eighth remain a rare spectacle. After all, it is not every day that you have top ensembles like the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, the NDR Vokalensemble, the Knabenchor Hannover and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra come together with a first-class octet of soloists! And it is not everywhere that the stage can accommodate everyone, but this is no problem in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. After his acclaimed performances of the Symphony No. 3 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the star conductor Semyon Bychkov now continues his Mahler series, bringing the greatest that the classical and romantic repertoire has to offer to the podium.
more
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm
Location
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457
12apr7:00 pmHamburg, Germany - NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester - Mahler
Event Details
Programme: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand” Performing with Carolyn Sampson, soprano Lyubov Petrova, soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano Andreas Schager, tenor Adam Plachetka, bass David
Event Details
Programme:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand”
Performing with
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Lyubov Petrova, soprano
Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
Andreas Schager, tenor
Adam Plachetka, bass
David Leigh, bass
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Knabenchor Hannover
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Whenever there is mention of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8, the superlatives begin to fly. The common epithet »Symphony of a Thousand« – which did not originate from the composer – already gives a taste of this. Mahler himself described his largest-scale choral work as »the greatest thing I have ever done«. And he certainly wasn’t just referring to the gigantic apparatus of some 500 performers, which required not only a huge orchestra and numerous choirs but also no less than eight soloists. It was, above all, a tremendous spiritual and religious quality that Mahler associated with this symphony. The passages he chose for inspiration were no less than the holy of holies of German national literature, the final scene from Goethe’s Faust II, and the time-honoured Pentecost hymn »Veni, creator spiritus«.
Its premiere on 12 September 1910 was an overwhelming success. Even the great Thomas Mann was incredibly impressed, writing a letter of thanks to the composer, referring to him as »the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.«
To this day, performances of Mahler’s Eighth remain a rare spectacle. After all, it is not every day that you have top ensembles like the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, the NDR Vokalensemble, the Knabenchor Hannover and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra come together with a first-class octet of soloists! And it is not everywhere that the stage can accommodate everyone, but this is no problem in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. After his acclaimed performances of the Symphony No. 3 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the star conductor Semyon Bychkov now continues his Mahler series, bringing the greatest that the classical and romantic repertoire has to offer to the podium.
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Time
(Friday) 7:00 pm
Location
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457
14apr5:00 pmHamburg, Germany - NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester - Mahler
Event Details
Programme: Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand” Performing with Carolyn Sampson, soprano Lyubov Petrova, soprano Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano Andreas Schager, tenor Adam Plachetka, bass David
Event Details
Programme:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat Major “Symphony of a Thousand”
Performing with
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Lyubov Petrova, soprano
Miriam Kutrowatz, soprano
Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
Andreas Schager, tenor
Adam Plachetka, bass
David Leigh, bass
NDR Vokalensemble
Rundfunkchor Berlin
Prager Philharmonischer Chor
Knabenchor Hannover
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Whenever there is mention of Gustav Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 8, the superlatives begin to fly. The common epithet »Symphony of a Thousand« – which did not originate from the composer – already gives a taste of this. Mahler himself described his largest-scale choral work as »the greatest thing I have ever done«. And he certainly wasn’t just referring to the gigantic apparatus of some 500 performers, which required not only a huge orchestra and numerous choirs but also no less than eight soloists. It was, above all, a tremendous spiritual and religious quality that Mahler associated with this symphony. The passages he chose for inspiration were no less than the holy of holies of German national literature, the final scene from Goethe’s Faust II, and the time-honoured Pentecost hymn »Veni, creator spiritus«.
Its premiere on 12 September 1910 was an overwhelming success. Even the great Thomas Mann was incredibly impressed, writing a letter of thanks to the composer, referring to him as »the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.«
To this day, performances of Mahler’s Eighth remain a rare spectacle. After all, it is not every day that you have top ensembles like the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, the NDR Vokalensemble, the Knabenchor Hannover and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra come together with a first-class octet of soloists! And it is not everywhere that the stage can accommodate everyone, but this is no problem in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. After his acclaimed performances of the Symphony No. 3 with the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the star conductor Semyon Bychkov now continues his Mahler series, bringing the greatest that the classical and romantic repertoire has to offer to the podium.
more
Time
(Sunday) 5:00 pm
Location
Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
Platz d. Deutschen Einheit 4, 20457
17apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic; Steven Osborne, piano - Beethoven, Brahms
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
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Time
(Wednesday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Wednesday) 10:00 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
18apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic; Steven Osborne, piano - Beethoven, Brahms
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
19apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic; Steven Osborne, piano - Beethoven, Brahms
Event Details
Programme Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor” Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Performing with Steven Osborne piano Czech
Event Details
Programme
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 “Emperor”
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Performing with
Steven Osborne piano
Czech Philharmonic
The Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov has chosen two composers who are very close to him musically for the April subscription week. Beethoven and Brahms also have something in common in their style, as can be seen from the programme combining the piano concerto of the former performed by the pianist Steven Osborne and the symphony of the latter.
more
Time
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
24apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic - Shostakovich
Event Details
Programme Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′) Performing with Czech Philharmonic Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in
Event Details
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′)
Performing with
Czech Philharmonic
Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in 1942, is a key work in Bychkov’s repertoire. One reason is his familial connection to Leningrad of that era, and a second is the conductor’s love of Shostakovich’s works for their authenticity and close ties to Russian history.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
25apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic - Shostakovich
Event Details
Programme Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′) Performing with Czech Philharmonic Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in
Event Details
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′)
Performing with
Czech Philharmonic
Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in 1942, is a key work in Bychkov’s repertoire. One reason is his familial connection to Leningrad of that era, and a second is the conductor’s love of Shostakovich’s works for their authenticity and close ties to Russian history.
Time
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
26apr7:30 pmPrague, Czechia - Czech Philharmonic - Shostakovich
Event Details
Programme Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′) Performing with Czech Philharmonic Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in
Event Details
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad” (73′)
Performing with
Czech Philharmonic
Unmistakable and still highly relevant—Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, first heard during the siege of Leningrad in 1942, is a key work in Bychkov’s repertoire. One reason is his familial connection to Leningrad of that era, and a second is the conductor’s love of Shostakovich’s works for their authenticity and close ties to Russian history.
Time
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Location
Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábř. 12, 110 00 Josefov, Czechia
NEWS
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Sep 8, 2023
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FEATURED VIDEO
FEATURED ALBUM
Mahler: Symphony No. 2
Personal Contemplation on Overcoming Death
After critically-acclaimed recordings of Mahler’s Fourth and Fifth Symphony, the Czech Philharmonic and Semyon Bychkov continue their Pentatone Mahler cycle with a rendition of the composer’s Second, nicknamed “The Resurrection”. They are joined by soprano Christiane Karg, alto Elisabeth Kulman and the Prague Philharmonic Choir. Starting with a funeral march, passing through the introspective alto song “Urlicht” and ending in choral bliss and euphoria, Mahler’s Second is a deeply spiritual and personal contemplation on the secret of life and the possibility of overcoming death. For Bychkov, the symphony “shows the life cycle in all its struggles: suffering, joy, irony, humour, love and doubt.”