Maxim Emelyanychev

When Maxim Emelyanychev was singing in a boys’ choir in Nizhny Novgorod, his fellow pupils nicknamed him Mozart. He attached little importance to being compared to the musical genius, but the son of a singer and of a trumpet player had a clear vision of his future career from his childhood, when he spent time with his parents at rehearsals. “Music is the main thing” is his answer to questions about whether he feels himself to be more a pianist, a harpsichordist, a cornetist, or a conductor.

If he had to choose who to go with for a glass of wine, he would know right away: “I would really like to spend some time with Mozart. Above all, I think he would be good company, and we wouldn’t even have to do much talking. We’d have a drink, make some music together, and then maybe play billiards without any big formalities…”

At concerts, he likes to play compositions from various periods: “I enjoy combining different epochs; after all, musical development is a chain of mutual influences. When you understand what preceded Beethoven, you can interpret his music so it sounds revolutionary even today. I think the arts have to be contemporary, vital, and surprising. They should pack a punch that takes you out of your comfort zone.”

At the same time, from his position on stage, he aims to create a sense of calm and harmony at concerts — something listeners can ideally carry with them beyond the concert hall…

Programme

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
A Midsummer Night's Dream, ouverture from music for Shakespeare's play, Op. 21

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (arr. for cello by George Szell) 
Flute Concerto No. 2 in D major, K 314

Joseph Haydn
Symphony No. 104 in D major, Hob. I:104 “London”

Performers

Václav Petr cello

Maxim Emelyanychev conductor
Česká filharmonie