Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Programme
Smetana The Bartered Bride Overture
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1
Piazzolla Libertango
Dvořák Symphony No. 9, ‘From the New World’
Performers
Steven Mercurio conductor
Alon Kariv piano
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
From the Old World to the New – Europe and the Americas represented by a century of orchestral masterpieces.
Smetana, Czech musical patriot, looked to his homeland for inspiration. His folk‑tinged opera on village life has an overture that dazzles as surely as any wedding finery.
Tchaikovsky, Russian cultural figurehead, draws on Ukrainian traditional tunes for his famous piano concerto. Dvořák, newly arrived in New York, produced a memorable symphonic synthesis of central European folk music and American spirituals – without quoting an actual tune from either continent.
Skip forward to the 1970s and nothing sounds quite like the sultry lyricism and hypnotic rhythms of the ‘new’ tango of Astor Piazzolla. An Argentinian musician who spent time in Paris and the US, writing orchestral music based on a fusion of South American street dances imported from Europe and Africa, played by a Czech orchestra – it’s difficult to imagine a greater transatlantic cross‑cultural mix.
“Kariv is a musician of intellect, integrity and talent… technically, beyond criticism.” Classical Explorer
Duration: to be confirmed – we will update this page as soon as we have running times. Please do not call the Box Office as they do not have any further information than that currently on our website. Most events last 2 – 2½ hours, evening events generally finishing no later than 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm on Sundays.
Ticket Information
Tickets from £18 (prices subject to change)
Students: pay £10 in the £18 price band (limited availability)
A single £4.50 transaction fee applies to all online bookings (per order, not per individual ticket). Orders made in person at the box office are exempt from transaction fees. See booking information for details, payment methods and delivery options.
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Future events in this series
Zurich International Orchestra Series 2026-27
London meets the world at Cadogan Hall as the Zurich International Orchestra Series 2026–27 brings celebrated orchestras from Europe to Asia, performing beloved classics and grand symphonic works, led by outstanding conductors with superb soloists in our intimate Hall.
NDR Radio Philharmonic, Hanover
with Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Thursday 15 October 2026, 7.30pm
The NDR Radio Philharmonic Hanover ignites the stage with Prokofiev’s sparkling 'Classical' Symphony, Rachmaninov’s dazzling, youthful Piano Concerto No. 1 with star pianist Nikolai Lugansky, and Brahms’ joyful, sunlit Symphony No. 2.
Flanders Symphony Orchestra
with Alexandra Soumm, violin
Tuesday 3 November 2026, 7.30pm
Inspired by lyricism and pastoral beauty, a programme including sumptuous works by Butterworth (A Shropshire Lad) and Vaughan Williams (The Lark Ascending), Mozart’s good-humoured Violin Concerto No. 5, and Dvořák’s exuberant Symphony No. 8.
Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra
with Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, piano
Monday 23 November 2026, 7.30pm
Three great orchestral works that balance turbulence with tranquility featuring Mendelssohn’s storm‑tossed Hebrides Overture, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with Jeneba Kanneh‑Mason, and Brahms’ deeply expressive Third Symphony.
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra
with Maria Ioudenitch, violin
Thursday 11 February 2027, 7.30pm
The Strasbourg Philharmonic unleashes a thrilling journey from Saint‑Saëns’s eerie Danse macabre to Prokofiev’s dazzling Violin Concerto No. 1, before soaring through Rachmaninov’s sweeping Symphony No. 2 – an evening of drama, virtuosity...
Ukrainian National Philharmonic Orchestra
with Mark Bebbington, piano
Friday 5 March 2027, 7.30pm
Something of Beethoven’s unique energy and free-spirited individualism resonates with these Ukrainian musicians, who bring a spectacular programme of music inspired by dance. We’re delighted to feature in our season one of the most highly regarde...
Taiwan Philharmonic
Saturday 27 March 2027, 7.30pm
A thrilling ride through our solar system to a galaxy far, far away, via sci-fi film scores and highpoints of Holst’s orchestral classic. The Taiwan Philharmonic, one of Asia’s finest orchestras, has travelled the furthest across our planet of al...
Taiwan Philharmonic
with Paul Huang, violin
Tuesday 30 March 2027, 7.30pm
One of the most popular violin concertos of all is enveloped in a tapestry of orchestral colour in Tawain’s flagship ensemble’s second visit. At its conclusion is perhaps the best-loved ballet score since Tchaikovsky. Most will be familiar with P...
Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra
with Johannes Moser, cello
Friday 16 April 2027, 7.30pm
The Romantic century is encapsulated in three works inspired by landscape, native folk music, literature, history and travels abroad. Mendelssohn was captivated by Scotland – his soulful, windswept, high-spirited Symphony is the ultimate souvenir f...
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
with Alon Kariv, piano
Wednesday 26 May 2027, 7.30pm
From the Old World to the New – Europe and the Americas represented by a century of orchestral masterpieces. Smetana, Czech musical patriot, looked to his homeland for inspiration. His folk‑tinged opera on village life has an overture that dazzle...
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