Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava (JFO) has successfully completed its first-ever concert tour of the United Kingdom. Over the course of eight days, the orchestra performed seven concerts in Birmingham, Guildford, Bristol, Bradford, Cheltenham, London and Sheffield. Under the baton of its designated Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Daniel Raiskin, the orchestra appeared in prestigious concert halls and was met with an exceptionally warm reception from audiences, as well as highly positive reviews from British critics. The tour programme presented Czech music within the broader context of the European repertoire, featuring works by Leoš Janáček, Antonín Dvořák, Max Bruch, Jean Sibelius and Dmitri Shostakovich. The solo parts were performed by British violinists Jennifer Pike and Chloë Hanslip.

Seven concerts in eight days meant an extraordinarily intense schedule for the 85-member orchestra. A different hall each evening, different acoustics, and only a single rehearsal. The orchestra’s ability to adapt quickly and its strong sense of cohesion proved to be among its greatest strengths.

“The UK tour was an extraordinary experience for our orchestra — both artistically and personally. It confirmed that long-term, systematic work brings results, and sold-out halls in Bristol and London only reaffirm that Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava is a respected ensemble on the international stage,” said JFO Director Jan Žemla.

Acclaim from British Critics

Particularly strong responses followed the performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, which was performed, among other venues, at London’s Cadogan Hall. Music critic Alexander Verney-Elliott described it as an exceptional experience:“It was by far the most authentic Shostakovich Tenth I have ever heard live — with a wide dynamic range without ever sounding merely loud. The performance was carefully balanced and perfectly attuned to the crystal-clear acoustics of Cadogan Hall.”

Writing for Bachtrack, reviewer Roy Westbrook noted: “The Janáček Philharmonic virtually lifted the roof off Cadogan Hall with Shostakovich.” He described the performance as “thrilling and musically compelling,” adding that today the work can hardly be perceived as pure music alone, but rather as a testimony to the lives of artists in Soviet Russia under Stalin’s regime.

Critics were also struck by the orchestra’s distinctive sound identity. The concert at Bristol Beacon, attended by more than 1,700 listeners, was reviewed by Chris Kettle, who praised the orchestra’s specific tonal colour and character: “One of the pleasures of hearing a visiting orchestra — particularly those from Central or Eastern Europe — is the sound itself, which often differs from the polished blend of Western orchestras. As soon as the Janáček Philharmonic began tuning, it was as if a refreshing breeze swept across the stage: an open, woody sound, ideal for Dvořák.” He also highlighted the remarkable atmosphere of the Bristol Beacon concert: “The entire concert was a wonderful and fitting musical celebration of Valentine’s Day — and the sold-out Bristol Beacon clearly felt the same.”

London: Music as a Cultural Bridge

A key stop on the tour was the concert at London’s Cadogan Hall, held under the auspices of the Czech Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Václav Bartuška. The evening was not only a musical event, but also an important moment of cultural representation for the Czech Republic.

Prior to the concert, a short reception was held for invited journalists, influencers and partners, organised by JFO in cooperation with the CzechTourism office in the United Kingdom.“Music is one of the strongest ambassadors of the Czech Republic abroad. The Janáček Philharmonic’s concerts in the United Kingdom were not only exceptional artistic experiences, but also a great opportunity to introduce Ostrava and the entire Moravian-Silesian Region to British audiences as a destination with a rich cultural life and a strong story,” said Katarína Hobbs, Director of CzechTourism’s UK office. Representatives of the Embassy of the Czech Republic and the Czech Centre in London were also present. The Czech Centre has long been involved in promoting Czech culture in the United Kingdom. Among the audience was Lucie Baránková Vilamová, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ostrava.

“The Janáček Philharmonic is one of the city’s most prominent cultural ambassadors, and its success in the United Kingdom is a success for Ostrava as a whole. I am proud that our orchestra represents the city on such prestigious stages and earns the respect of both professional and general audiences. It confirms that our city truly has much to offer in the field of culture, even in an international context,” said Deputy Mayor Lucie Baránková Vilamová.