Dvořák's Requiem in Edinburgh, and a UK debut

Jakub Hrůša & Bamberg Symphony Orchestra (Photo Andreas Herzau Klein)

Antonín Dvořák had quite a strong connection with the UK performing quite a number of works here himself and his music was popular, particularly the large scale choral works. His oratorio Saint Ludmilla  was written for the Leeds Festival in 1886, whilst his Requiem was premiered in Birmingham in October 1891, both with the composer conducting. There is a rare chance to hear the Requiem at the Edinburgh International Festival on Tuesday 21 August 2018 when Jakub Hrůša conducts the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.

Jakub Hrůša, who has been conducting Samuel Barber's Vanessa at Glyndebourne [see my review], has been the chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra since 2016/17, the orchestra's 70th anniversary season. The performance at the Edinburgh Festival represents the orchestra's UK debut. The orchestra has interesting Czech roots, as it was originally based on musicians who were in the German Philharmonic Orchestra Prague.

For the performance of the Requiem, Hrůša and the orchestra will be joined by the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and soloists Eva Hornyaková (Soprano), Václava Krejčí Housková (Mezzo-soprano), Pavel Černoch (Tenor) and Jan Martinik (Bass). Full details from the Edinburgh International Festival website.