Maestro Bychkov to debut in Korea with all

Semyon Bychkov, a Soviet-born conductor who denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is set to make his Korean debut in October, leading the Czech Philharmonic for an all-Dvorak program.

The program -- Dvorak’s "Carnival Overture," Op.92, Piano Concerto in G minor, Op.33, and Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op.70 -- is more of a practical choice as it includes pieces that are being performed during their regular season in Prague, where they will perform Dvorak’s three symphonies, three concertos and three overtures over the course of three weeks. The repertoire also provides a rare chance to enjoy the piano concerto for the Korean audience, which will be presented alongside Japanese pianist Mao Fujita, the second prize winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019.

“Dvorak's Piano Concerto is not frequently performed on stages worldwide, not just in Korea. This phenomenon is indeed perplexing, considering it's a masterpiece that blends elements reminiscent of Brahms and Beethoven while retaining Dvorak's unique musical characteristics,” Bychkov said in an email interview last month.