About Semyon Bychkov
Celebrating his fifth season as Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic, Semyon Bychkov, renowned for his innate musicality and rigorous Russian pedagogy, marks his 70th birthday with captivating concerts. Pairing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony with Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, these performances promise an exceptional musical experience.
Bychkov's influential tenure began in 2018, with commemorative concerts in Prague, London, New York, and Washington, honoring the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovak independence. His dedication to the Czech Philharmonic continues, as he conducts concert performances of Dvořák's Rusalka at London's prestigious Royal Opera House in the coming spring. In a remarkable announcement on September 28, the Czech Philharmonic revealed the extension of Bychkov's contract until 2028, further solidifying their fruitful collaboration.
An artist with an expansive repertoire spanning four centuries, Bychkov's performances are highly anticipated worldwide. Alongside his role as Chief Conductor and Music Director, he holds honorary titles with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Academy of Music, where he is recognized with an Honorary Doctorate. Bychkov's engagements with major orchestras and opera houses around the globe further demonstrate his exceptional artistry.
Bychkov's recording career, which commenced with Philips, features collaborations with renowned ensembles such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio, Concertgebouworkest, Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic, and Orchestre de Paris. His remarkable discography includes benchmark recordings with the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, encompassing complete cycles of Brahms Symphonies, notable works by Strauss, Mahler, Shostakovich, Rachmaninov, Verdi, Glanert, and Höller. Several of his recordings have received esteemed accolades, including BBC Music Magazine's Record of the Year for Wagner's Lohengrin (2010) and Record of the Month for Schmidt's Symphony No. 2 with the Vienna Philharmonic (2018).
Born in St Petersburg, Bychkov's cultural background is a harmonious blend of both the East and the West. After leaving the former Soviet Union in his early twenties, he pursued a remarkable career, returning as Principal Guest Conductor of the St Petersburg Philharmonic in 1989 and assuming the role of Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris in the same year. His appointments as Chief Conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne in 1997 and the Dresden Semperoper in 1998 further solidified his reputation as an esteemed conductor.
Discover the performances of Semyon Bychkov
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A night of Russian Storytelling
Semyon Bychkov is joined by Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov in this double-bill of modern Russian classics.
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The Nutcracker in Amsterdam
The combination of the captivating conductor Semyon Bychkov and Tchaikovsky's legendary ballet The Nutcracker makes this program truly irresistible.
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Revolution! Czech Phil Commemorates Freedom
Smetana's sweeping Ma Vlast (My Homeland) ushers commemoration of the Velvet Revolution in this impassioned performance.
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Wild and Stormy Nights
Nathalie Stutzmann transports you to a dusky, foreboding realm, where hope and light are at perpetual odd with fierce storms and undulating shadows.
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A Mozart Special from Montreal
A pleasing pairing of Mozart works with from OSM. Payare joins Richard-Hamelin for the Piano Concerto No.24 whilst Labadies leads the spirited 'Haffner' symphony.
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A Double Bill of Beethoven and Brahms
Violinist Leonidas Kavakos takes center-stage for a Brahms' Violin Concerto, followed by Beethoven's 'Pastorale' Symphony conducted by Daniel Harding.
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Two Unfinished Symphonies
Schubert's lyrical 'Unfinished' 8th Symphony leads off this charismatic concert and concludes by featuring Anton Bruckner's sacred 9th.
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A Vibrant Performance of 20th Century Works
A rhythmic program of modern classics with Sir Simon Rattle and the Labèque Sisters.
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Blomstedt Explores Darkness and Light
A performance driven by a transformative energy where we explore Honegger's third as well as Brahms' fourth and final symphony.
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Chen Reiss Sings Mendelssohn
Enjoy this extraordinary performance with our soprano in Mendelssohn's "Lobgesang".
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An Ode to Heroes
A vibrant program featured alongside Andriessen and Beethoven's contrasting celebrations of human fortitude is Mozart's double Piano Concerto.
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