The Washington Performing Arts Society hosted the Prague Symphony Orchestra last Sunday at the Kennedy Center for the first time in 20 years. Indeed, it was a long overdue return, as the orchestra brought to D.C. the spirit and passion of the great Czech city.
To see the all-Dvor k program performed by the native orchestra was quite a treat. Conductor Serge Baudo first led the orchestra through a rousing rendition of the "Carnival Overture," which beautifully illustrated Antonin Dvor k's ability to orchestrate waves of sound, moving walls creating and releasing tension. Baudo hardly had to work to keep the incredibly fit and tight orchestra together. At times the conductor put down his arms all together and let the orchestra play, un-tethered, the music of their homeland. Dvor k composed many works during the latter part of the 19th century, most notably the New World Symphony.
Baudo has made quite a career for himself in the conducting world since he began in 1959, spending time in principal positions at the prestigious Paris Opera and the Orchestre de Paris in the late '60s. He also founded the Berlioz Festival in Lyon, France to commemorate the great French composer. It seemed that with the Prague Symphony Orchestra Baudo could relax and let the group do what they do best.
The orchestra looked relatively casual, reflecting the fact that classical music is treated altogether differently in Prague. Enjoying classical music is as common as going to see a movie, and the musicians gave off the refreshing feeling that they were entirely at ease, but that they felt respect and love for the music they were playing. The timpanist had a mohawk, many members looked in need of haircuts and some women brought their purses on stage. The percussion section stood out during the performance. Oddly enough, the tambourine player was mesmerizing during the "Carnival Overture." However, Dvor k's music is all-around fun to watch. The violins swell and soar with the woodwinds, the low strings provide a solid base for the higher instruments' aerobatics, the music is very physical and the players moved along with it.
Soloist for the centerpiece of the performance, the Piano Concerto, was Czech pianist Martin Kasik. The incredibly technical piece was executed very well by the 29-year-old, who has won numerous international piano competitions, including the Davidoff Prix as Best Czech Pianist under the age of 28.
The final piece, selections from the "Slavonic Dances," was a highlight of the concert. It was this piece, a series of 16 short dances that gave Dvor k international fame upon its debut in 1878. The spritely dances were played with great energy and excitement.
Dvor k's music is emotive and stirring, exciting and driving, and the Prague Symphony Orchestra proved just that in this great performance.
