Composer

Composers capture landscapes not with paints and brushes, but with instruments and notes. Today, you'll hear three of them bring to life the landscapes, traditions and myths of their homelands. Smetana's famous Má vlast (My Fatherland) is a tribute to his native Czech Republic. The colourful sounds of Vltava (The Moldau) are the most iconic, but the other symphonic poems likewise offer striking glimpses of the Bohemian landscape.

EPSG:4326

Smetana & Schulhoff

Amare

A few orchestral Champions League matches are on the horizon: But before we take some creative shots on goal in Spain, we're looking forward to a home game in front of our loyal Bamberg fans. Our principal conductor will be leading us as our musical coach, guiding us through, among other things, "Champions League" works from his native Czech Republic. He has been sharing his enthusiasm for this repertoire with us since 2016, and we love to revel in the unique artistry of this region. First up is a lively piece by Smetana from 1874: the overture to the rarely performed opera "The Two Widows"—an entertaining composition about two very different cousins ​​and an unexpected visitor. 

On Tour: Santander

Cantabria Festival Palace

In her CSO debut, Ukranian conductor Oksana Lyniv leads a program that weaves together powerful stories. Evgeni Orkin’s Five Interrupted Lullabies opens with a series of haunting lullabies, each symbolically interrupted to mark innocence lost to war. Smetana’s “The Moldau” spins and swirls as it journeys along the winding Vltava River, while Dvořák’s Golden Spinning Wheel weaves a tale of fate and destiny, where enchanting melodies intertwine with dark, mysterious forces. Esther Yoo joins for Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto, written during the 1917 Russian Revolution and telling a story all its own.

Slavic Legends

Cincinnati Music Hall

A few orchestral Champions League matches are on the horizon: But before we take some creative shots on goal in Spain, we're looking forward to a home game in front of our loyal Bamberg fans. Our principal conductor will be our musical coach, guiding us through, among other things, "Champions League" works from his native Czech Republic. He has been sharing his enthusiasm for this repertoire with us since 2016, and we love to revel in the unique artistry of this region. First up is a lively piece by Smetana from 1874: the overture to the rarely performed opera "The Two Widows"—an entertaining composition about two very different cousins ​​and an unexpected visitor.

On tour: Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tenerife Adán Martín Auditorium

A few orchestral Champions League matches are on the horizon: But before we take some creative shots on goal in Spain, we're looking forward to a home game in front of our loyal Bamberg fans. Our principal conductor will be leading us as our musical coach, guiding us through, among other things, "Champions League" works from his native Czech Republic.

On Tour: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Alfredo Kraus Auditorium

On Tour: Madrid

National Music Auditorium, Madrid

Jakub Hrůša, Sol Gabetta

Bamberger Symphoniker

In the history of Czech music there is hardly a more iconic work than Bedřich Smetana’s set of symphonic poems My Country. After all, it is an exceptional opus not only in the Czech context. Reactions from abroad often suggest that it is something for which the Czechs and their classical music tradition are to be envied. This extraordinary, mature and imaginative composition is first and foremost a celebration of the composer’s homeland, but it can equally well be seen as a demonstration of Smetana’s mastery.

My Country

Dvořák Hall Rudolfinum

Bienen piano professor Christopher Guzman is joined by violinist and recent Los Angeles Philharmonic assistant concertmaster Akiko Tarumoto, as well as Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal viola Teng Li and CSO assistant principal cello Kenneth Olsen.

Bienen Faculty and Guests

Northwestern University

From Bohemia to America: what a contrast in the 19th century! Here, the Bohemian homeland with Smetana's excerpts from My Fatherland and there, Dvořák's From the New World, which hinted at elements of American folklore in his symphony but also did not deny characteristic Bohemian sounds.

Concert in Cologne

Kölner Philharmonie, Cologne, Germany

Pianist and ECHO Klassik prizewinner Sebastian Knauer performs together with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra from Hamburg’s twin city Prague under the baton of American conductor and Emmy Award winner Sarah Hicks at the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. The programme includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Concerto KV 466 and George Gershwin’s »Concerto in F«, two of the most famous and beautiful piano concertos of all time. Combined with great romanticism by Czech composers Antonín Dvořák (Slavonic Dances) and Bedřich Smetana (Vltava).

Sebastian Knauer / Czech National Symphony Orchestra / Sarah Hicks

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Ringing in the New Year with a concert has long been considered good form in Austria. Wolfgang Hentrich and the German String Philharmonic have already celebrated numerous successes on the Austrian concert stage and, together with the magnificent pianist Rafał Blechacz, invite you to a joint kick-off for 2026. The program is based on the motto "Con anima!" – when composers want to hear their works played this way, they desire a particularly emotional expression, a "soulful" way of making music. And this New Year's program is soulful through and through. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart returned to Salzburg from Italy with his father shortly before Christmas 1771, brimming with new ideas and impressions he had brought back from the south. He soon composed three divertimenti – pure light music – for his new employer in Salzburg, Prince-Archbishop Colloredo. The first Divertimento, K. 136, became particularly famous, opening cheerfully with an elegantly floating first movement. It is no surprise that the melody is one of the best known from Mozart's pen. After this introduction, we are on our way to Paris; the city on the Seine was also the destination of the 20-year-old Frédéric Chopin when he premiered his Piano Concerto in E minor in October 1830. The concert was a musical farewell to his Polish homeland, which the composer shares with the piano virtuoso Rafał Blechacz. For more than 20 years, the young pianist has been a fixture in the international concert scene, not only as a proven Chopin expert – these joint appearances with the German String Philharmonic are already their second collaboration. And finally, a New Year's Concert can also offer a colorful bouquet: in the second half of the program, Wolfgang Hentrich and the String Philharmonic dedicate themselves to a rich selection of the most popular orchestral pieces by Vivaldi, Smetana, Dvořák and the Strauss dynasty, which provide an atmospheric round-off to the start of the year. Happy New Year!

Con anima! German String Philharmonic / Hentrich

Mozarteum Foundation

In the festive atmosphere of Wiesbaden's Kurhaus, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt) traditionally welcomes the new year with an entertaining and artistically first-class program – this time under the direction of the young Belarusian conductor Vitali Alekseenok. Alongside the well-known overture "The Bartered Bride" by Bedřich Smetana, the "Wiesbaden Master Concerts" will also feature the unconventional Cello Concerto by Friedrich Gulda, performed by the internationally acclaimed young cellist Anastasia Kobekina, as well as Zoltán Kodály's "Dances of Galánta" and Maurice Ravel's "La valse."

New Year's Concert Wiesbaden

Kurhaus Wiesbaden GmbH

The opening of our Christmas concert is formed by Smetana's famous symphonic poem "The Moldau". The music almost vividly paints the course of the river - from its bubbling source to its full width as it flows into the Elbe. One can hear nature, rushing forests, and even a wedding in the countryside. A tribute to Smetana's Bohemian homeland, which is so close to us. Hummel's Trumpet Concerto in E major is a sparkling highlight. With virtuosic runs and radiant melodies, it showcases the trumpet at its best. Playing it for us is Lucienne Renaudin Vary, a master on her instrument! In Dvořák's Symphony No. 5, Czech folk music and romantic orchestral colors come together to create a music that touches the heart and soul. From idyllic sounds to captivating drama, the Bohemian master of melodies takes us on an evocative musical journey.

Smetana and Dvořák

Palace of Culture

A delightful collection of your favorite Christmas carols and light classics, including music by Johann Strauss, Bizet, Puccini, Mancini, Sousa and others. Soprano Kristin Vogel returns to celebrate the season with inspiring holiday songs and famous operatic arias. Acclaimed for her powerful lyric voice and onstage intensity, Soprano Kristin Vogel has been lauded for roles that require dramatic passion and sensitive musicality, such as Puccini’s Tosca, Mimi in La Bohème and Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Performing regularly in Europe and the United States, she divides her time between Vienna and the Pacific Northwest.

Holiday Pops

Edmonds Center For the Arts

Festive Advent concert in Prague

Led by renowned German conductor Kevin John Edusei, the Colburn Orchestra returns to The Wallis with a lavish program spotlighting the rich cultural heritages of its composers. The concert opens with Ernest Bloch’s Jewish-inspired masterpiece Schelomo, an intense and poignant rhapsody that casts the cello as King Solomon and the orchestra as a world full of temptation. Bedřich Smetana’s Má vlast (“My Country”) then invites the audience on a journey through Bohemia’s countryside and lore in a rousing, atmospheric love letter to his Czech homeland.

Cultural Landscapes: Smetana’s Má vlast

Colburn School

35 years of partnership with Prague is reason enough for a concert with Czech music! Smetana and Dvořák are two of our neighbouring country's most famous composers and they are represented alongside a string quartet by Hans Krása, written in 1935. Stylistically, this work occupies a fascinating space between tradition and modern sounds.

Prague – Music From Nu­rem­ber­g's Part­ner City

Nuremberg State Theater

Music Director Peter Oundjian leads a rare Denver appearance of the enormously talented violinist Soyoung Yoon, who wows audiences regularly in concert halls across Europe and Asia. She’ll steal the show with the music of Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla, whose collection of vibrant musical portraits of Buenos Aires pays homage to Vivaldi’s own Four Seasons.

The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires with Soyoung Yoon

Denver Performing Arts Complex

The UCDSO presents a programme of beloved classics in a concert featuring special guest performers from Sweden.

UCD Symphony Orchestra: A Swedish Rhapsody

Whitefriar Street Church

The harp master returns to the magnificent Grand Hall with three of his most esteemed artistic companions: the wonderful flautist Magali Mosnier, castanet legend Lucero Tena, and the Artistic Director of the Mozarteum Foundation, star tenor Rolando Villazón. The magic and power of friendship make this shared musical expedition, which begins at the two small sources of the Vltava River and leads to southern Europe, a deeply felt and highly emotional evening.

Master Concert: De Maistre & Friends Villazón / Mosnier / Tena

Composers captivated by rivers transform their works. Moved by tragedy, Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 ebbs and flows with the treacherous yet gentle movement of the Rhine; Leonel Morales returns to the YSO as the featured pianist. Duke Ellington follows the transforming flow of water in the theatrical The River. Known as the ‘waltz king,’ Strauss’ composed On the Beautiful Blue Danube to boost wartime spirits with his uplifting work. Folk-inspired The Moldau, Bedrich Smetana’s symphonic poem admires the Vltava River through the magnificent Bohemian landscape.

Brahms & Ellington

Appell Center for the Performing Arts

Camellia Symphony Orchestra: Rivers of Memory

C.K. McClatchy High School

Celebration in Motion: Beethoven 7

Walton Arts Center

Conductor David Glover is known for his captivating interpretations and engaging presence on the podium. He is currently the Music Director of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra in Virginia and recently concluded a tenure as Associate Conductor of the North Carolina Symphony, where he led over 250 concerts, including performances of major choral repertoire such as Carmina Burana, the opening classical concert of the Symphony’s new hall in Wilmington, NC, and two statewide tours. He continues to maintain a close relationship with the North Carolina Symphony and conducts numerous concerts with them each year. Prior to his position with the North Carolina Symphony, Glover served as Assistant Conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. 

Our classical season opens with a majestic celebration of some of the most beloved masterworks. International sensation, Sterling Elliott, brings his remarkable artistry to the stage as he joins us for Tchaikovsky's elegant Rococo Variations. Then, the orchestra takes the spotlight, showcasing its full virtuosity in Mussorgsky's colorful and imaginative Pictures at an Exhibition, a powerful musical journey through art and storytelling.

Pictures At An Exhibition

Visalia Fox Theatre

The Merced Symphony returns to UC Merced for its second annual Side-by-Side Spectacular, bringing together professional musicians with talented students from UC Merced and Merced College for an unforgettable evening of collaboration. Under the baton of conductor Ming Luke, the combined orchestra performs a dynamic program that flows from sweeping romanticism to electrifying Mexican rhythms. This celebration of shared artistry promises to be a highlight of the season — a joyful blend of mentorship, community, and world-class performance.

Merced Symphony Side-by-Side Spectactular

University of California Merced

The concert is held under the auspices of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Korea, Ivan Jančárek.

Czech Philharmonic • Seoul

Seoul Arts Center

Opera for everyone: BMW Classics Concert

Sportanlage Sendling-Westpark

Bedřich Smetana's most famous work depicts a symphonic journey along the Vltava River: The river rises from gently murmuring springs, visits dancing nymphs in the moonlight, flows through raging rapids, and finally disappears majestically into the Elbe. The piece was written in 1874, when the composer was already completely deaf. With your ears pricked, you can embark on an exciting river cruise at this family concert!

Children's Festival Week · The Vltava

City Hall Mühldorf

Celebrate 75 years of the Allentown Symphony with a spectacular season opener on October 11 & 12, 2025! This re-creation of the Symphony’s first concert in October 1951 features an extraordinary lineup, including Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, Debussy’s Clair de Lune, and more timeless favorites. Violin soloist Mio Imai, the talented Grand Prize winner of the Philadelphia International Music Festival Concerto Competition, joins the orchestra for stunning performances of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. Don’t miss this historic tribute—reserve your tickets today!

75th Season Celebration: An American In Paris & More

Miller Symphony Hall

Asian Tour: Japan and Thailand

Cultural Centre, Tochigi

Thailand Cultural Center, Bangkok

Hamamatsu Act Tower

Civic Assembly Hall, Nagoya

The Symphony Hall

Rexxam Hall, Takamatsu

Metropolitan Theatre, Tokyo

Tokyo Opera City Tower

Queen's Square Yokohama

Student Concert No. 3, 1st Performance

Volkshaus Jena

Smetana's Bartered Bride depicts the state of emergency into which an entire Czech village is plunged during the fair and the seemingly hopeless struggle of a young woman for her seemingly betrayed and sold love. The utopian counter-world of a traveling circus holds up a mirror to the villagers' desires, their dependencies, fears and hopes.

Die verkaufte Braut (Prodaná Nevěsta)

Vienna State Opera

The soundscapes of the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra's chamber concerts are as diverse as the personalities of the musicians who perform in them. The demands of the orchestra pit are often determined by the scale and diversity of voices. Chamber music, on the other hand, reduces this dimension to smaller ensembles and allows for intimate musical interaction. As in a dialogue, diverse opinions collide, new ideas emerge and develop during performance, thus opening up a creative space for spontaneous development.

Chamber Concert / Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra

Music Director Xian Zhang begins her inaugural season with a powerful Opening Night Concert celebrating destiny, drama and the power of music. Jessie Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone is a meditation for orchestra. Bedřich Smetana depicts the female warrior Šárka, leading the way in a legendary uprising against men. Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner bring operatic intensity. And our opening night soloist, the charismatic Simon Trpčeski, performs Edvard Grieg’s heroic Piano Concerto.

Opening Night Concert

Benaroya Hall

Grammy-winning violinist Gil Shaham brings brilliance and finesse to one of Beethoven's most lyrical compositions, the majestic Violin Concerto. Conductor Karen Kamensek also leads the Calgary Phil in Vltava (The Moldau) from Má vlast — Bedřich Smetana's six vivid tone poems — and Strauss' Four Symphonic Interludes.

Gil Shaham plays Beethoven

Arts Commons

Inselmusik 2025 brings together experienced and young chamber musicians who will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the island of Rügen for three days of music-making. Eckart Runge, former cellist of the legendary Artemis Quartet, and his duo partner Jacques Ammon will lead the festival and also present their own transcendent programs. The young musicians will have the opportunity to showcase their work in portrait concerts.

Jacques Ammon and the Fibonacci Quartet

Theater Putbus

Tony, Emmy, and five-time Grammy Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. A powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man, he’s sold over 35 million albums worldwide, headlined legendary venues on multiple continents, and has also entertained audiences with acclaimed film and television appearances. His catalog spans a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums: Josh Groban, Closer, Noël, Awake, Illuminations, All That Echoes, Stages, Bridges, and his most recent release, Harmony.

Josh Groban with the LA Phil

Hollywood Bowl

Enjoy an evening full of emotions and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of music and the unique atmosphere of Freiburg's Münsterplatz!

We invite you to an extraordinary open-air concert, as part of the Münsterplatz-Konzerte 2025, where we will present masterpieces of classical music under the direction of Jiří Habart.

Allow yourself to be captivated by the majestic beauty of Smetana's famous tone poem "The Moldau," which brings to life the diversity of the river in all its forms, and by the dramatic intensity of "Šárka."

Open-air concert: Smetana & Dvořák

Münsterplatz, Freiburg im Breisgau

Our journey begins inland, where rivers run through landscapes and legends alike. River Rhythms features music shaped by flowing waters—from the grandeur of the Mississippi to the folk-infused currents of the Vltava. Ferde Grofé’s Mississippi Suite opens the concert with rich American imagery, followed by Anatoly Lyadov’s shimmering tone poem The Enchanted Lake, conducted by assistant conductor Eric Shen.

On the Water: River Rhythms

St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church

Experience the gripping drama of Bedřich Smetana’s Dalibor, a powerful Czech opera that weaves themes of revenge, love, and fate. Set against a backdrop of medieval intrigue, Dalibor follows its titular tragic hero as he faces a desperate struggle for redemption. With sweeping orchestral music and unforgettable arias, Dalibor captivates with its emotional depth and stirring melodies. Director Jean-Romain Vesperini (Henri VIII) returns to Bard SummerScape to helm this first fully staged American production of a rarely heard masterpiece.

Dalibor at Bard SummerScape

Sosnoff Theater

Martinů, Smetana, Beethoven

Since the earliest days of the Baroque trio sonata, the combination of three instruments has produced dialogue and drama. Trio performers move seamlessly between playing as one, accompanying each other, and shining as soloists. This program showcases trio dynamics at their finest, with Bohemian spirit, rich timbres, and a haunting Elegy.

Trio Transformations

Menlo School Campus

The annual Berg:Klassik concert with the Salzburg Philharmonic offers a unique concert experience at over 2000 meters above sea level. On the summit of the "Kleine Scharte" in Bad Hofgastein, surrounded by breathtaking nature, you can enjoy a musical treat in a class of its own. The concert opens with Smetana's symphonic poem Vltava, which transforms the power and beauty of the Czech river into intoxicating sounds. Dvořák's famous symphony From the New World transports you to the vastness of America with powerful melodies and rhythmic energy. Another highlight of the evening: Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto with soloist Ferran Bardolet, which deals with the melancholy and emotional world of the post-war period. A concert that touches the soul and becomes an unforgettable experience in the heights of the mountains!

Mountain:Classical music at 2,066m above sea level

Schlossalmbahn mountain station

Join the Plano Symphony Orchestra for us for a thrilling concert featuring iconic works from across the classical repertoire. Experience the grandeur of Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila, setting the stage with its vibrant energy. Let the rhythmic pulse of Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 sweep you away, followed by the sweeping beauty of Smetana’s Ma Vlast, a masterpiece that captures the spirit of Bohemia. Feel the intensity of Ginastera’s Malambo, a high-energy dance that will leave you breathless. Finally, end the evening with Tchaikovsky’s March Slave, a powerful, patriotic celebration. This diverse program will take you on an unforgettable musical journey that spans cultures, emotions, and histories.

Orchestral Fireworks

Robinson Fine Arts Center

TMC Orchestra performs Brahms & Smetana

Tanglewood Music Center

The Czech Philharmonic open the 2025 Kissinger Sommer Festival with the overture to Smetana’s opera The Two Widows. Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major follows with French virtuoso Pierre-Laurent Aimard and for the grand finale, Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, Op. 46.

Czech Philharmonic • Bad Kissingen

Regentenbau

The first ever theatrical, dance and puppet rendition of a Smetana's Má vlast (My Country).

Má vlast at Smetana Litomyšl Festival

Litomyšl Castle

The Czech Philharmonic’s last festival concert this year will open with the overture to Smetana's opera The Two Widows. Together with French piano virtuoso Pierre-Laurent Aimard, the Czech Philharmonic will also play Ravel's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G major. The previous day’s performance of Slavonic Dances, Op. 46, will be followed by the second set, Op. 72.

Smetana Litomyšl Festival • Tomáš Netopil, Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Má vlast • Theatrical performance

Exhibition center Prague

In this project, pupils from elementary schools of the arts all around the Czech Republic encounter their experienced colleagues from the Czech Philharmonic. After half a year of intense preparations, the project culminates with joint rehearsals for a gala concert where the orchestra plays under the baton of Petr Altrichter.

Concert of the Joint Orchestra of Music School Pupils and Musicians of the Czech Philharmonic

Rudolfinum

Spring Concert 2025

Cokesbury Church

How much personal life do composers allow to flow into their works? And can you hear it? The musicians of the Collenbusch Quartet have selected three works that are strongly influenced by the experiences of their creators. In the case of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, it is the First World War, which he experienced on his parents' country estate in what is now Ukraine: In his string quartet, he looks back musically and into the future. Similarly, Shostakovich composed his Third String Quartet at the end of the Second World War. But not in a gloomy, tragic way, but rather in a darkly humorous way, in which he allows the pain to come across as almost musically light-footed. The Czech national composer Smetana had an inkling when he wrote his quartet that he would soon be deaf. In a way, the result is an autobiography in sound

Collenbusch Quartett

The opening concert of the 66th edition of Smetana’s Litomyšl Festival conducted by Jakub Hrůša could be called "Shakespearean". It will open with Smetana's March to Shakespeare's Feast, at the grand  finale will be a suite from the ballet Romeo and Juliet by composer Sergei Prokofiev in the conductor's arrangement. We will also welcome a rare guest - Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang.

Smetana Litomyšl Festival • Jakub Hrůša

Octavo Series (SATB) Amanda Quist & Tim Brent, Guest Conductors

Carnegie Hall

### Event Description: BSO: Bronfman Plays Beethoven

**Event Title:** BSO: Bronfman Plays Beethoven

**Date and Time:** Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 8:00 PM

**Location:** The Music Center at Strathmore

**Event Overview:**
Join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for an unforgettable evening as they present "Bronfman Plays Beethoven." Under the masterful direction of BSO Music Director Jonathon Heyward, this concert promises a dynamic program that captures a strong sense of place and history.

**Featured Performers:**
- **Conductor:** Jonathon Heyward
- **Piano Soloist:** Yefim Bronfman

**Program Highlights:**
1. **Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor:** A piece that melds Viennese sophistication with musical heroism, composed during the Napoleonic Wars.
2. **James Lee III's Concerto for Orchestra:** A world premiere of a BSO-commissioned work by the Composer in Residence, reflecting his love for Baltimore in a daring and evocative new composition.
3. **Smetana's The Moldau:** A patriotic tribute to the rivers and mountains surrounding Prague, solidifying Smetana's reputation as the father of Czech music.

**Additional Information:**
- **Tickets:** Available for purchase on the BSO website.
- **Plan Your Visit:** For more details on planning your visit, including health, safety, and security measures, please refer to the Strathmore website.

**Note:** This event is presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and not by Strathmore.

**Share This Event:**
- **Facebook**
- **Twitter**

Experience an evening of musical brilliance and historical homage with the BSO at The Music Center at Strathmore. Don't miss this extraordinary performance!

Bronfman Plays Beethoven

The Music Center at Strathmore

BSO Music Director Jonathon Heyward leads a dynamic program possessing a strong sense of place. Completed while under siege, Beethoven melds Viennese sophistication with musical heroism amidst the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. Smetana's patriotic tribute to his homeland solidified his reputation as the "father of Czech music," a rousing and lush ode to the rivers and mountains surrounding Prague, culminating in a triumphant hymn. Composer in Residence James Lee III unveils the world premiere of his BSO-commissioned Concerto for Orchestra, channeling his own love of Baltimore in a daring and evocative new work.

Beethoven Emperor Piano Concerto featuring Bronfman

Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Completing this season’s three-part exploration of tragic lovers Romeo and Juliet is Leonard Bernstein’s suite of Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, overflowing with familiar tunes such as “Somewhere,” “Cool,” and “Maria.” Bernstein opens the program as well when violinist Tai Murray takes the stage with his Serenade (after Plato’s Symposium), which the composer referred to as “a series of related statements in praise of love.” Finally, Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin — which describes a game of thievery and seduction that goes awry — was once banned from performance on moral grounds. Stefan Asbury conducts this program of vibrant stories set to music.

Bernstein & Bartók

Warner Grand Theater

When Bedřich Smetana began writing tone poems, he was probably modeled on the compositions of Franz Liszt, as the latter was well known as the father of the genre. The Bohemian later said that he wanted to outdo the master with his own symphonic poems . Má Vlast goes back to the idea of ​​portraying themes from his homeland in a cycle of tone poems - as an orchestral counterpart to his confessional opera Libussa . Originally intended as a tetralogy, Smetana later composed two more parts. When the complete cycle was premiered in Prague in 1882, the composer, who had since become completely deaf, reaped great success with this work dominated by national themes, which quickly conquered the concert stage with its impressively fresh musical design, especially Moldau , which was often separated from the cycle and performed separately .

9th Philharmonic Concert / Moldau Plus

Volkstheater Rostock - Big House

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature assembled by artistic directors, David Finckel and Wu Han. Violin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras will be performed by young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all three musicians combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bedřich Smetana, which tells a heartrending story of triumph over tragedy.

An Afternoon with David Finckel, Wu Han, and Chad Hoopes

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

Telegraph Quartet

Episcopal Church of St. Martin

Trinity Cathedral

Last year, the Czech Philharmonic returned to Baden-Baden’s famous Festspielhaus after a 25-year hiatus. Following the success of the last visit, the orchestra is back with Smetana’s Má vlast led by Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov.

Czech Philharmonic • Baden-Baden

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden

### Event Description: James Ehnes Plays Dvořák with the Minnesota Orchestra

**Event Title:** James Ehnes Plays Dvořák

**Dates:** Thursday, May 15, 2025, and Friday, May 16, 2025

**Venue:** Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

**Duration:** 2 hours, including intermission

**Program Overview:**
Experience the profound Czech influence in this captivating program featuring works by Janáček, Smetana, and Dvořák. The evening will commence with Janáček's powerful "Sinfonietta," followed by Smetana's "Tabor" from his celebrated collection, "Má vlast." The highlight of the evening will be the return of the renowned Canadian violinist James Ehnes, who will perform Dvořák's Violin Concerto. Ehnes, who first performed with the Minnesota Orchestra as a teenager, brings his stunning virtuosity and serene lyricism to the stage once again.

**Program:**
- **WALKER:** Folksongs
- **DVOŘÁK:** Violin Concerto
- **SMETANA:** Tabor, from Má vlast
- **JANÁČEK:** Sinfonietta

**Artists:**
- **Conductor:** Edward Gardner
- **Violinist:** James Ehnes

**About the Artists:**
- **James Ehnes:** A Canadian violinist acclaimed for his stunning virtuosity and unfaltering musicality, James Ehnes has performed with top orchestras worldwide, including the Boston, Chicago, London, NHK, and Vienna symphonies, as well as the Los Angeles and New York philharmonics. This season, he serves as the National Arts Centre of Canada’s artist in residence and tours the U.S. with the Ehnes Quartet.
- **Edward Gardner:** Principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic, Edward Gardner will soon take on the music directorship of the Norwegian Opera and Ballet.

**Ticket Information:**
Tickets for this concert are available now when you purchase a package. Save up to 15% and receive subscriber perks when you buy 3 or more concerts. Individual tickets go on sale on July 29.

**Additional Information:**
- **Pre-concert activities:** Enhance your concert experience with pre-concert activities.
- **Valet Parking:** Available for your convenience.
- **Pre-order Beverages:** Skip the lines by pre-ordering your intermission drinks.
- **Accessibility Services:** Armless & bariatric chairs, assistive listening devices, large-print programs, noise-canceling headphones, service animals, and wheelchair & accessible seating are available upon request.

**Presented by:** The 2024-2025 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.

**Plan Your Visit:**
- **Directions & Parking:** Parking is available just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
- **Download the MinnOrch App:** Pre-order intermission drinks, scan your ticket for entry, and get exclusive deals just for app users.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical music with the Minnesota Orchestra and James Ehnes. Secure your tickets now and be part of this extraordinary event!

James Ehnes Plays Dvořák

Minnesota Orchestra

2024 was the Year of Czech Music and to continue celebrations now in Hannover, the Czech Philharmonic presents Smetana’s complete Má vlast at the Congress Centrum led by Chief Conductor Semyon Bychkov.

Czech Philharmonic • Hannover

HCC Hannover Congress Centrum

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center brings a scintillating collection of works that reveal the joy and depth of the chamber music literature assembled by artistic directors David Finckel and Wu Han. Violin sonatas from the Baroque and Classical eras will be performed by young virtuoso Chad Hoopes, followed by Mendelssohn’s invigorating Second Sonata for cello and piano, a gem of the Romantic era. The art of romantic music hits a high point in the concluding work, in which all three musicians combine for a trio by the founder of Czech music, Bedřich Smetana, which tells a heartrending story of triumph over tragedy.

An Evening with David Finckel, Wu Han, and Chad Hoopes

National Centre for the Performing Arts

Perhaps no other orchestra is as strongly associated with Smetana's Má vlast, which was composed between 1874 and 1879, as the Czech Philharmonic. It was also the Czech Philharmonic who presented Má vlast at the first edition of the Prague Spring on 12 May 1946. In 2025, Smetana’s masterpiece will appear on the Prague Spring programme for the 133rd time, including repeat performances; of these an impressive 76 are attributed to the Czech Philharmonic.

Prague Spring • Opening Concert

Municipal House

Travel down the Mississippi with Florence Price and the Moldau with Bedřich Smetana, respectively, in a Mother’s Day concert that celebrates musical creativity and the beauty of Mother Earth. The melodic and rhythmic ebb and flow of Price’s Mississippi Suite reveals the landscapes, birds, and people in the lands of southern spirituals and New Orleans jazz, and Smetana’s  “The Moldau,” capturing the composer’s love of his homeland, flows past jubilant hunters, a village wedding, a legendary gorge, and whitewater rapids before reaching Prague and its Bohemian castle, Vyšehrad. And Rokeach’s creative Piccolo Concerto, featuring soloist Amy Likar, takes the listener on an optimistic and celebratory journey while also showcasing the instrument’s uniquely sweet-toned low register.

A Musical Mother’s Day: River Journeys

Lesher Center for the Arts

Immerse yourself in an evening of Bohemian melodies, crowned by Dvořák’s beloved Cello Concerto. This masterpiece is both exhilarating and profound, and pushes the instrument’s boundaries to deliver some of his most soulful, heart-achingly beautiful music you’ll ever experience.

Dvořák Cello Concerto

Frauenthal Center

**Guitar & Gin at Winspear Centre: A Night with the ESO**

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and spirits at the Winspear Centre on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 8:00 PM, as we present "Guitar & Gin." This unique concert, conducted by the talented Michael Christie, is part of our ESO Pairings series, brought to you by Tumbler & Rocks.

**About the Concert:**

Experience the magic of classical music with a performance by the brilliant guitarist Jason Vieaux. The night will feature an animated and vigorous work by Spanish composer Rodrigo, alongside Smetana’s popular piece, The Moldau, which beautifully depicts the scenic river in the composer’s homeland. 

ESO Pairings are specially curated concerts designed to make classical music accessible and enjoyable for everyone. These short and sweet performances come with no intermission, making for a perfect introduction to the orchestra. Our knowledgeable conductors will guide you through the musical journey, sharing the stories behind the scores and their composers. Plus, your ticket includes one free food or beverage item, enhancing your experience.

**Program Highlights:**

- Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez
- Smetana's The Moldau

Please note, the program is subject to change.

**Featured Artists:**

- Michael Christie, Conductor (ESO Debut)
- Jason Vieaux, Guitar

**Important Dates:**

- Renewal Deadline: May 1, 2024 (For current subscribers to keep preferred seats)
- Subscriber Presale: July 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM
- Public Onsale: July 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM

**Additional Information:**

The Winspear Centre and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra are proud to acknowledge that we are on Treaty 6 Territory, a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous Peoples. We honor the rich artistic and musical traditions of the Indigenous communities that call this land home.

**Child Policy:** Please note, children 3 years of age and under will not be admitted.

**Box Office Information:**

- Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Closed on Saturday & Sunday)
- Phone: 780.428.1414
- Email: box.officewinspearcentre.com

For those looking to experience classical music in a new and exciting way, "Guitar & Gin" promises an evening of exceptional performances and delightful pairings. Don't miss your chance to be part of this special event at the Winspear Centre.

Guitar & Gin

Winspear Centre

Experience the enchanting melodies of Vivaldi, Rodrigo, and Smetana at the Winspear Centre with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO). This captivating concert, conducted by Michael Christie, is set to take place on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 7:30 PM. The evening promises a journey through classical music's finest, featuring the brilliant guitarist Jason Vieaux.

The concert will showcase a diverse program including Vivaldi's cheerful Guitar Concerto in D Major, an excerpt from Mahler's Symphony No. 3 titled "What the Wildflowers Tell Me," and Smetana's evocative symphonic poems "The Moldau" and "Blanik," which paint a vivid picture of the Czech composer's homeland. The highlight of the evening will be Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, brought to life by Vieaux's masterful guitar performance, known for its rhythmic spirit and vigor.

This event is a part of the Thursday Classics series, offering a unique opportunity to immerse in the beauty of classical music. Whether you're a long-time classical music enthusiast or new to the genre, this concert is sure to leave you mesmerized by the power and beauty of these timeless compositions.

Tickets are now available for subscription as part of the ESO 24/25 Season, with special renewal deadlines and presale dates for current subscribers. Don't miss this chance to secure your preferred seats and be part of a memorable night at the Winspear Centre.

Vivaldi, Rodrigo & The Moldau

Ruth Reinhardt returns to lead the Symphony in two delightful works by two Czech masters: the Overture and Three Dances from Smetana’s folk-inspired romantic comedy The Bartered Bride and Dvořák’s infectiously joyous Symphony No. 8, which was conceived and written in the gorgeous green landscape of fields and woods around the small community where Dvořák had his country home. Having grown-up as a country boy in a largely agricultural community, the composer was passionate about the beauties of the rural world, taking pleasure especially in the rich variety of the songs of wild birds, which he would listen to in the little wood at the bottom of his garden. Probably no other symphony in the established repertoire is so full of delicious suggestions of singing birds as this!

Composer

Bedřich Smetana

Events

Upcoming events

Sep 21, 2025 - May 10, 2026

Chamber Concert / Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra · Elbphilharmonie

Sep 25, 2025 - Mar 31, 2026

Die verkaufte Braut (Prodaná Nevěsta) · Wiener Staatsoper

6 - 8 Feb, 2026

Smetana & Schulhoff · Residentie Orkest Den Haag

7 - 17 Feb, 2026

The Bartered Bride · Bayerische Staatsoper

22 - 23 Feb, 2026

4. Symphony Concert · Staatsorchester Stuttgart

Past events

6 - 8 Feb, 2026

Smetana & Schulhoff · Residentie Orkest Den Haag

Jan 31, 2026

On Tour: Santander · Bamberger Symphoniker

About

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