Czech Philharmonic/Semyon Bychkov: Bartered Bride, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2 & Symphonic Dances

A dream team assembles for a two-night residency featuring Rachmaninoff and Smetana’s greatest hits - a highlight of London’s cultural calendar. When pianist Seong-Jin Cho first played with the Czech Philharmonic, Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year in 2024, he says ‘they instantly became one of my favourite orchestras in the world’. He joins them for their third Barbican residency, playing Rachmaninoff’s gorgeous Second Piano Concerto, full of memorable tunes and heart-on-sleeve emotion. They are conducted by the orchestra’s Chief Conductor and Music Director since 2018 Semyon Bychkov. Framing the concerto are orchestral highlights from Smetana’s opera The Bartered Bride, dancing with the lively rhythms of Czech folk music, and Rachmaninoff’s glorious Symphonic Dances. Looking back at his beloved Russia from exile in the US, Rachmaninoff composed a virtuosic showcase for the whole orchestra. Programme Bedřich Smetana Bartered Bride - Overture, Furiant and Dance of the Comedians Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2 Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances Performers Czech Philharmonic Semyon Bychkov conductor Seong-Jin Cho piano