Conductor Jakub Hrůša has won widespread acclaim following his latest collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic – a week of concerts in Vienna with soloist Daniil Trifonov followed by a week-long tour. Hrůša conducted the orchestra in five concerts at the Vienna Musikverien and Konzerthaus, followed by four concerts across Europe at the Cologne Philharmonie, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. The thrilling programme featured Janacek’s Jealousy Overture, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (substituted on tour with Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet in a selection by Hrůša) and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
The reviews were unanimous in their praise for the partnership between conductor and orchestra:
“Jakub Hrůsa imposes a vision of tragic intensity – a true theatre conductor. At the helm of the Vienna Philharmonic, the conductor showed that he knows how to marry purity and power without ever lapsing into pathos or easiness.” – Concerto.net
“The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s visit to Paris is always a major event. With charismatic conductor Jakub Hrůša, future Music Director of London’s Royal Opera House, the evening is all the more special! It demonstrates that Jakub Hrůša…is…a powerful and accurate lyrical conductor.” – Classique Mais Pas Has Been
“It was simply epic how Hrůša made these concentrated notes speak with the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein, and it was only the beginning of a breath-taking programme …“ – Der Standard
“How pleasing Hrůša’s collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic is developing was shown afterwards in Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony…Enthusiasm in the hall…” – Die Presse
“The last work was Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony in D minor (op. 47), in which the Philharmonic and Hrůša were on top form. Musically, it doesn’t get much more beautiful than this. Ovations.” – Kurier
“After the interval, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, intense in every note … The Czech conductor shaped Shostakovich’s double meanings with clever dramaturgy, intense concentration and wonderfully shaped endings. Huge cheers.“ – Wiener Zeitung
“Hrůša and the brilliantly disposed Viennese proved to be perfectly attuned partners”. – Kronen Zeitung
“The Czech conductor…has an excellent sense of timing and balance, for the luxuriating string sound…..There he pulls out all the stops for tonal overwhelmingness…” – Generalanzeiger
“Jakub Hrůša whirled in the tides of sound, made himself big on the tips of his feet, and the orchestra translated his gestures into music – that is the quality of this wonderful orchestra with its exquisite soloists.” – Kölnische Rundschau
“Jakub Hrůša obviously used the unique sound flair of the Vienna Philharmonic quite consciously…..The Viennese willingly delivered their luxurious sound to the conductor at all times.” – Kölner Stadtanzeiger
Jakub Hrůša’s next collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic is at this summer’s Salzburg Festival, where he’ll conduct Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Igor Levit, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.
Copyright: Wiener Musikverein by Dieter Nagl
