The Czech Philharmonic Brings the "Year of Czech Music" to Carnegie Hall
Last night, Carnegie Hall was transformed into an outpost of Eastern European culture. There were flowers on stage and bouquets for the musicians. Patrons in black tie and glittering evening gowns double-kissed each other as they eagerly waited in line for their $26 glass of Sekt... er, Champagne. Even the President of the Czech Republic was in attendance, sitting in a first tier box with Clive Gillinson.
Hanging above the stage were a pair of banners that broadcast the purpose behind all of this old-world pomp. One read "Year of Czech Music: 2024", a once-a-decade event that purports to "celebrate Czech music around the world" and coincides with the birth anniversaries of at least a half-dozen Czech composers, including Bedřich Smetana, Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinu. At Carnegie Hall alone, there have been no fewer than seven Czech music events this week, including three from last night's featured guest: the Czech Philharmonic, the national orchestra of the Czech Republic and its foremost cultural ambassador.
Founded in 1896, the Czech Philharmonic has weathered more than its share of cultural and political upheaval, surviving two World Wars, the Cold War and the subsequent Velvet Revolution, all the while preserving their unique Czech sound. Since 2018, its been led by Semyon Bychkov, 72, who seems to have finally found a home after a long career as a journeyman conductor. (Bychkov says he'll step down after his current contract ends in 2028.) Bychkov, who was born in the former Soviet Union but emigrated to the U.S. when he was in his 20's, says he's connected with the musicians over their shared affinity for Czech music, as well as his own personal journey.
"I was told early on," Bychkov told Bachtrack in 2023, "that if I were just a Russian, or just an American, it probably would not really work. But because I’m a Russian who rejected the system and went away, they identify with that."
Continue reading "The Czech Philharmonic Brings the "Year of Czech Music" to Carnegie Hall" »