Prague’s Finest Take Carnegie Hall by Storm
New York City’s renowned Carnegie Hall pulsed with excitement as the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra took the stage Tuesday night, kicking off a residency laden with musical history and international allure. The sold-out performance marked the first of three concerts celebrating Czech Week in New York, a vibrant showcase of Czech culture and artistry.
Leading the orchestra was esteemed principal conductor Semjon Byčkov, guiding them through a program brimming with Czech pride. The evening opened with Antonín Dvořák’s Concerto for cello and orchestra in B minor, featuring the legendary Yo-Yo Ma as soloist. Ma, a recipient of the prestigious Antonín Dvořák Award for his contributions to Czech music, captivated the audience with his virtuoso performance.
The second half of the concert transported listeners through the landscapes and legends of Bohemia with Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic poems: Vyšehrad, Vltava, and Šárka. Whipped into a frenzy by the evocative melodies and powerful crescendo, the audience erupted in a standing ovation, filled with thunderous applause and heartfelt shouts of acclaim.
Violin virtuoso and concert master Jiří Vodička captured the essence of the evening’s reception: "The Americans are very interesting listeners, what you give them with emotions, they give you back with praise."
For those unable to attend the live performance, a recording of the concert’s first half is available online via the Czech Philharmonic’s website and YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6u9cQUdxiQ
The Czech Philharmonic’s Carnegie Hall residency holds profound meaning, extending beyond mere musical delight. As Consul General of the Czech Republic in New York Arnošt Kareš reminds us, "the concert has symbolism not only as the start of that special week. The symbolism lies in the fact that the Czech National Building was completed in 1896. And in the same year, the Czech Philharmonic under the baton of Antonín Dvořák played for the first time in Rudolfinum in Prague."
The program featured Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B Minor, composed during his time in America between 1894 and 1895. This masterpiece, originally performed in London in 1896, has since become a staple in the repertoire of cellists worldwide.
Wednesday night promises another captivating performance by the Czech Philharmonic. This time, violinist Gil Shaham will grace the stage, performing Dvořák’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, followed by Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor.
The final performance on Thursday will conclude with Dvořák’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G minor, featuring soloist Daniil Trifonov, and Leoš Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass. This grand finale will see the orchestra and conductor Byčkov honored with the American Dvořák Society Award in the presence of Czech President Petr Pavel.
In a feat reserved for only a select few, the Czech Philharmonic, alongside the esteemed Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, are the only orchestras granted the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall three times this year. The trio of performances cemented the Czech Philharmonic’s status as a global musical powerhouse, sharing the beauty and passion of Czech music with the world.
