"An orchestra that sounds like itself"

I have written in the past of the increasing homogeneity among orchestras worldwide.  Of course, much of this is due to Music Directors on task only 8-10 weeks of a season and a plethora of podium guests each bringing an individual sound ideal and interpretation to the works at hand.  No longer is a Frederick Stock, George Szell, or Eugene Ormandy (among others) on hand for the majority of his orchestra's rehearsals and performances. Mostly, this has resulted in nearly every major orchestra sounding the same, with the Vienna Philharmonic (largely because of the different instruments employed therein) being a possible exception.

I have also lamented the fact that American orchestras seriously ignore the music of their own countrymen, particularly on tour.  In all honesty, what Russian would want to hear the NY Phil play Tchaikovsky or Shostakovich?

Jiri Belohlavek

Another, less heralded orchestra has maintained very close to its roots, as Zachary Wolfe has noted in a recent commentary in the NY Times.  That orchestra is the Czech Philharmonic, once again under the baton of Jiri Belohlavek (the orchestra performs today at Carnegie Hall and commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution tomorrow at Washington's National Cathedral).  Wolfe is spot on in his assessment of this ensemble:

The tour is an opportunity for audiences here to experience a rarity these days: an orchestra that sounds like itself. The internationalization of classical music over the past few decades has resulted in more versatile ensembles but also more homogeneity.

“The key is in the strings, which are really warm and down to earth,” [concertmaster Josef Spacek] said by phone. “Because we Czechs came from a sort of peasant lifestyle, there is a great sense for folk tunes. Smetana, Dvorak — they really derive their music from simple tunes from the countryside.”

Having heard this wonderful ensemble twice (in Chicago and in Prague itself), I could not agree more.

Wolfe goes on to write:

Part of the reason the orchestra’s sound has endured is its intimate home, Dvorak Hall in the Rudolfinum in Prague, which rewards sonic richness. And part is simple numbers: According to Mr. Spacek, just two out of the 118 players are not Czech. “It’s not because we don’t allow foreign people to apply,” he insisted with a laugh. “But we have a huge overload of musicians coming from the Czech Republic,” a country of 10 million with more than a dozen conservatories.

The Rudolfinum, Prague

Also at home, the orchestra is bucking the trend--musically and financially--that we're seeing on this side of the pond.  Since 2000, musician salaries (while still quite low) have increased 60% and concerts--now offered three times/program instead of two--are playing to 90% houses, compared to around 65% not so long ago.

The Czech Phil's tour schedule appears below (N.B. dates read day/month/year).

4. 11. 2014 / COSTA MESA, California

• L. JANÁČEK: Taras Bulba
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

5. 11. 2014 / NORTHRIDGE, California

• A. DVOŘÁK: Stabat Mater op. 58

6. 11. 2014 / LA JOLLA /SAN DIEGO, California

• L. JANÁČEK: Taras Bulba
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

8. 11. 2014 / DAVIS, California

• B. SMETANA: From Bohemia's woods and fields, Šárka - symphonic poems from "My Country"
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

9. 11. 2014 / BERKELEY, California

• A. DVOŘÁK: Stabat Mater op. 58

10. 11. 2014 / SANTA BARBARA, California

• L. JANÁČEK: Taras Bulba
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

13. 11. 2014 / ANNAPOLIS, Maryland

• B. SMETANA: From Bohemia's woods and fields, Šárka - symphonic poems from "My Country"
• J. SUK: Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 24
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

14. 11. 2014 / FAIRFAX, Virginia (Washington D.C.)

• L. JANÁČEK: Taras Bulba
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

15. 11. 2014 / PURCHASE, New York

• L. JANÁČEK: Taras Bulba
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

16. 11. 2014 / NEW YORK, New York / Carnegie Hall

• L. JANÁČEK: Taras Bulba
• F. LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

17. 11. 2014 / WASHINGTON, Washington D.C. / National Cathedral

- Concert commemorating 25th anniversary of the Velvet revolution

• B. SMETANA: Vltava, symphonic poem from "My Country"
• A. DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World"

Hmmm. No apologies here:  everything is Czech except for that Liszt concerto. They're playing what they know best, and why not?  While I'd rather hear Dvorak's Seventh any day, it's interesting that the Ninth is being performed. The manuscript of the same pays a five day visit to New York's Czech Center, the first time it has returned to the "New World" since the composer took it "home" in 1895.