“The Czech Philharmonic has named Semyon Bychkov as its new Chief Conductor and Music Director,” writes Martin Cullingford in Monday’s (10/16) Gramophone (U.K.). “He will begin the role starting with the 2018-19 season—the post had previously been held by Jiří Bělohlávek until his death in June this year…. He … is currently Artistic Director of The Tchaikovsky Project—an initiative launched last October with Decca to record all Tchaikovsky’s symphonies, the three piano concertos, Romeo & Juliet, Serenade for Strings and Francesca da Rimini…. Bychkov’s commitment to the orchestra will include the opening concerts of the season, six subscription weeks and two weeks of studio recordings, as well as leading them on tour and at the major Czech festivals and concerts. The Czech Philharmonic … gave its first concert in its current form in 1896 under Dvořák, and today is composed entirely of Czech players. Its first recording dates back to 1929 when then Chief Conductor Václav Talich conducted Smetana’s Má vlast. The orchestra also announced today that Jakub Hrůša and Tomáš Netopil have been named as joint Principal Guest Conductors, also from the start of next season. Both conductors were former students of Bělohlávek.”
Posted October 18, 2017
