Czech Philharmonic brings Bohemia to Seoul with all-Dvorak concert

The Czech Philharmonic / Courtesy of InArts Production

Poster for the Czech Philharmonic concert with Semyon Bychkov in Seoul / Courtesy of InArts Production

The Czech Philharmonic, a leading orchestra from Central Europe, is set to enchant Seoul audiences with an all-Antonin Dvorak concert at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 24.

Under the leadership of principal conductor Semyon Bychkov, this upcoming performance aims to deepen cultural exchanges between Korea and the Czech Republic, while spotlighting Dvorak's enduring influence on classical music.

The philharmonic orchestra is also joined by up-and-coming Japanese pianist Mao Fujita, who is making his first appearance in Korea.

Highlighting the significance of this year's concert is its exclusive focus on the works of Dvorak, one of the most revered Czech composers. Dvorak's "Carnival Overture" and "Symphony No. 7," along with the seldom-performed original version of the "Piano Concerto in G minor," are all slated to be performed in Seoul.

The concert's organizer InArts Production said in a statement that this concert aims to reproduce the "terroir" of Dvorak, capturing the essence of the composer much like a fine wine captures its regional nuance.

The Czech Philharmonic's 127-year history dates back to its inaugural concert in 1896 where Dvorak himself took the podium. The orchestra has built a reputation for its nuanced interpretations of Czech composers. During its five previous visits to Korea since 1991, the orchestra has curated performances that reflect its Czech identity.

Bychkov, who has been the principal conductor since 2018, brings a meticulous touch to the orchestra's Czech-inspired repertoire. His approach has resonated both with the orchestra members and the public, harmonizing with distinctive Bohemian sounds deeply rooted in the philharmonic's 127-year history. This will be the first time for Seoul audiences to experience Bychkov’s interpretation of Czech classics with the orchestra.

Joining this musical journey is Fujita, a 24-year-old Japanese pianist who has already made significant strides in the international classical scene. Among his notable accomplishments are a second-place win at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019 and the distinction of being the first Japanese pianist to secure an exclusive worldwide contract with Sony Classical. Fujita is set to perform the challenging Dvorak composition "Piano Concerto in G minor."

The orchestra will travel to the southeastern city of Daegu for another concert at the Grand Hall of Daegu Concert House on Oct. 25.