Since its creation in 1969, the Haydn-Mozart sized Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic has achieved extraordinary artistic growth under the continued excellence of leadership by the area's most renowned conductors, among them Libor Pesek, Petr Altrichter, Josef Vlach, Libor Hlavacek, Petr Skvor and Robert Stankowsky, a veritable "who's who" of internationally acclaimed Czech and Slovak maestros.
More than 300 tours abroad have spread the reputation of the orchestra throughout Europe and Asia, including appearances in Vienna, Milan (at La Scala), Venice, Musich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Tokyo and Osaka.
The Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic has appeared at international festivals such as the Prague Spring Festival, the Berlin Sebastian Bach Days, the Flemish Music Festival, the Bratislava Festival, the Music Festival of Brno, the Festival of Czechoslovak Culture in Cita di Castell, and regularly for the Mozart Society in Dortmund.
Tomas Koutnik, conductor, is also Music Director of the Slovak Symphony Orchestra, Kosice. In addition to regular appearances as guest conductor all across Europe and in Japan, he has held the positions of Music Director/Principal Conductor with the Slovak Radio Symphony in Bratislava, the Janacek Philharmonic in Ostrava, the Suk Chamber Orchestra, and the Czech Radio Symphony in Prague, with which he has broadcast internationlly including on NPR's "Performance Today." He is also Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Sinfonietta of Zilina and led their highly acclaimed 1993 U.S. debut tour.
The CD recording by the Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic and Maestro Koutnik of Schubert's Symphony in B-flat major, J.V. Vorisek's Symphony in D major, and Mozart's Piano Concerto in E-flat major (with Michiko Otaki) is available from the Notabene lable (Notabene 9701)
Review Excerpts from Spring 2000 U.S. tour
"Otaki and Maestro Koutnik proved to be excellent partners in their
concept of Schumann's wonderful concerto. Otaki's playing was alert and
lively with fire to burn. I found her phrasing to be probing and
lyrical..."
The News-Press, Ft. Myers
"Precise, well-balanced and thoroughly musical.
This was especially true of the Schumann concerto, which pianis Michiko Otaki
brought brilliantly to life. One could tell she loves this piece, at the same
time keeping herself in close touch with the composer’s intentions. Otaki
painted a series of beautiful landscapes for me..."
Daytona Beach News-Journal
"This young pianist, who has already achieved some impressive accomplishments, did a stellar job. Otaki’s tone was crisp and bright, although she softened it effectively in lyrical passages." Green Bay Press-Gazette
"Excellent soloist... Michiko Otaki’s complete mastery of her
instrument allowed her to devote most of her efforts to the beautiful poetic and
romantic elements of this concerto without the distraction of hollow
exhibitionism."
Merrick Life, NY
"Otaki presented the concerto with directness and focused energy. Taken at moderate speeds–again, no excesses–this was a reading of controlled tautness and dynamic nuance, especially noteworthy for the wonderfully intimate exchange between soloist and orchestra in the intermezzo." The State, SC
"Commanding technique and lovely sound..." Press Journal, FL
"Another grand experience of the concert was hearing Michiko Otaki play Schumann’s A minor Piano Concerto. Hers is always a lyric touch, even in the most athletic passages. This is not to say that she plays too softly; but she is on a melody quest in which her ability to spin a long line is the great impetus. She played the Intermezzo with the same attitude as one of the composer’s whimsical miniatures. And the finale was pure swinging joy. Otaki is always a gracious interpreter, bringing power through well-controlled arm weight rather than brute force. Her evident involvement and clear musical ideas, all resting on an impeccable technique, brought the knowledgeable audience members to their feet at the conclusion of the concerto." Classical New Jersey
Winter/Spring 2000 U.S. Tour Itinerary
for more information please contact:
Raymond Weiss Artist Managment, Inc.
300 West 55th Street, suite 5L
New York, New York 10019-5138
212-581-8478