On May 17, Semyon Bychkov conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra, as they perform amazing works by Dvořák, Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff, with violinist Vilde Frang! Experience it for yourself - get your tickets now!
Vide Frang plays Shostakovich with Concertgebouw Orchestra
The sensational Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang will join the Concertgebouw Orchestra in a performance of Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto, one of the most dramatic solo concertos ever written. The composer wisely waited until Stalin was dead before releasing the work, which violates every Soviet doctrine. Fear, sorrow, hysterical mirth, and a fighting spirit: Vilde Frang captures all the nuances within Shostakovich’s rich emotional palette. Unforgettable, even before the first note is heard.
As an all-rounder with a unique flair for Russian repertoire, veteran conductor Semyon Bychkob pairs the tragedy of Shostakovich with the astonishing vitality of an elderly Rachmaninoff. Rachmaninoff was living in the United States, torn from his Russian routes, when he composed the Symphonic Dances, reflecting on his youthful loves and exorcising his demons.
Banishing demons and celebrating life are two things Antonín Dvořák accomplished in his Carnival Overture, with which Semyon Bychkov opens the concert.
For more information about the concert visit Vilde Frang plays Shostakovich – Concertgebouworkest.
Image credit: Sheila Rock
Semyon Bychkov conducts the Concertgebouw Orchestra
As a pupil of the legendary Ilya Musin, Semyon Bychkov belongs to the select group of great conductors who were trained at the Leningrad (now St Petersburg) Conservatory.
In 1975 he moved to the United States to build up an international career free of the limitations of the Soviet regime. He made his name as the music director of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Later Bychkov became chief conductor of the Orchestre de Paris, the WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, and the Semperoper in Dresden. Following a freelance period of eight years, he has been chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra since the 2018-2019 season.
Apart from the symphonic repertoire opera plays an important part in his career. In 2003 Bychkov made his debut in Covent Garden with Elektra by Richard Strauss. He conducts its productions with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Opéra de Paris, the Viennese State Opera, the Scala in Milan and the Salzburg Festival. He has been a very regular guest ever since, most recently in June 2023 with Mendelssohn’s ‘Scottish’ Symphony and the Dutch premiere of Glanert’s Prague Symphony.
For more information, please visit the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra website.
Concert programme
- Antonín Dvorák - Carnaval Overture
- Dmitri Shostakovich - Violin Concerto No. 1
- Serge Rachmaninoff - Symphonic Dances
Performers
- Semyon Bychkov (Conductor)
- Vilde Frang (Violin)
- Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Concertgebouw Orchestra
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was founded in 1888. Its distinctive sound has made it one of the world’s leading orchestras.
The orchestra is famous for its renditions of works by Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Anton Bruckner, and for its long-standing concert traditions such as the St Matthew Passion in the week before Easter and the Christmas Matinee. It has always worked closely with contemporary composers. World-famous guest conductors such as Riccardo Chailly, Iván Fischer, Antonio Pappano, Myung-whun Chung and Joanna Mallwitz will be coming to Amsterdam to lead the orchestra next season.
The Concertgebouw Orchestra has had just seven chief conductors to date. The eighth was announced on 10 June 2022: Klaus Mäkelä joined as artistic partner in 2022-23 season and will become chief conductor in 2027. The coming season sees five extraordinary programmes with Klaus Mäkelä at the helm.
Buy your tickets now!
A free glass of wine and use of the staffed cloakroom are included in the price of admission. Get your tickets on the Concertgebouw Orchestra website.
Thumb image credit: Marco Borggreve