Programme
Carl Maria von Weber: Der Freischütz, overture
Robert Schumann: Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra Op. 86
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor Op. 36
Artists
Prague Symphony Orchestra
Robert Jindra – conductor
Zhicheng Jin, Zuzana Rzounková, Jan Vobořil, Szabolcs Zempléni – French horns
There are many compositions in existence for chamber ensemble and orchestra, nevertheless, the number of those written for four French horns could be counted on the fingers of one hand. One of the authors who ventured into this unexplored territory was the German composer Robert Schumann (1810–1856). The last time the Prague Spring programmed his Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra was back in 1992. On that occasion the soloists included the legendary brothers Zdeněk and Bedřich Tylšar. At the festival in 2025 the solo parts will be performed by two laureates of the Prague Spring competition – Jan Vobořil, today solo horn in the Czech Philharmonic, and the winner from 2024, Chinese horn player Zhicheng Jin. Making up the foursome will be solo horn in the Prague Symphony Orchestra Zuzana Rzounková, and winner of the ARD competition in Munich, Szabolcs Zempléni. The concert will open with the popular overture from the opera Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826). In the second half you will hear Symphony No. 4 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893), a masterful work which makes full use of all the sounds and expressions that a symphony orchestra is capable of. The Prague Spring entrusted its performance to the Prague Symphony Orchestra, led by excellent Czech conductor and music director at Prague’s National Theatre Opera, Robert Jindra, who makes guest appearances at the most prestigious opera venues, including the Bavarian State Opera in Munich and the Berlin State Opera.