Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Mark Bebbington, Libor Pesek

Smetana From Bohemia’s Forests and Meadows
Grieg Piano Concerto
interval
Philip Glass Adagio from Symphony No.3
Dvorak Symphony No.8

Maybe it’s the characterful woodwinds, maybe it’s those glowing horns; maybe it’s just the irresistible Bohemian lilt that they give to every note they play. But there’s just something uniquely magical about hearing a Czech orchestra playing Dvorak and Smetana – and if there’s any maestro alive who understands that, it’s the Czech National Symphony Orchestra’s veteran chief conductor Libor Pesek.

Tonight’s concert begins amidst the rolling Czech countryside of Smetana’s famous tone-poem, and ends amidst the whooping brass and village celebrations of Dvorak’s Eighth and sunniest symphony – the very definition of feel-good music. But Pesek’s never been limited in his musical horizons. He’s setting Dvorak and Smetana against the atmospheric slow movement of Philip Glass’s cult classic of a Third Symphony.