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Ivo Kahánek: Reactions to the Performance of Bohuslav Martinů’s “Incantation”

Bamberger Symphoniker under Jakub Hrůša’s baton performed Bohuslav Martinů’s work, “Incantation”

On 18 and 19 January 2019 pianist Ivo Kahánek and the exquisite Bamberger Symphoniker under Jakub Hrůša’s baton performed Bohuslav Martinů’s work, “Incantation”, with immense success, presenting yet again the Czech author to the world audience in the best possible light.

Ivo Kahánek is already an established name with Czech as well as foreign audiences, to which he always strives to present the musical gems written by Czech authors, first and foremost by Bohuslav Martinů, Leoš Janáček and Antonín Dvořák. He has been repeatedly invited to play in the most prestigious music halls and to cooperate with the best world orchestras as an ambassador of Czech music. For example, he has performed Incantation with BBC Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms with Jiří Belohlávek as the conductor, or with the Berliner Philharmoniker, appearing on stage with them (only as the second Czech ever after Rudolf Firkušný) under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle. In January 2018 he was awarded a prize for its performance with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo and Jean Deroyer at the prestigious Printemps des Arts de Monte Carlo festival, as well as the Classic Prague Award for Solo Performance.

The last review of him playing the Fourth Piano Concerto by Bohuslav Martinů says the following:

Bachtrack: “Bemberger Symphoniker – When tones express things words cannot “The Fourth Piano Concerto by Bohuslav Martinů surrendered unexpected treasures to the Bamberger Symphoniker and the phenomenal pianist, Ivo Kahánek… Kahánek presented his pianism at its utmost level of sensitivity, tackled virtuoso cascades with extrovert nonchalance and the delicate and also striking Adagio with a touch of lyricism. The piano concerto has indeed become the surprise discovery of the evening“.

You can find the whole review here:

https://bachtrack.com/kritik-copland-martinu-dohnal-kahanek-hrusa-bamberger-symphoniker-konzerthalle-januar-2019

Positive news for those who could not attend the concert personally: the recording of this rendering of the Concerto for piano and orchestra no. 4, “Incantation” by Bohuslav Martinů will be released together with the Concerto for piano and orchestra in G minor by Antonín Dvořák this autumn on CD by Supraphon.

 

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