Conductor Jakub Hrůša is honoured with two major wins at the 2020 BBC Music Magazine Awards. The Awards were announced during an online ceremony on Monday, 11 May. He won the Concerto Award for Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor; Martinů: Piano Concerto No. 4, “Incantatio” with Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and pianist Ivo Kahánek (Supraphon), and the DVD Award for Glyndebourne’s Barber: Vanessa (Opus Arte).
Of Dvořák/Martinů, the magazine notes in its 5 star review that, “[Kahánek] with Hrůša he ensures that the music lives up to its title, Incantations: there is certainly a feeling of spells being cast here.”
In its award announcement, BBC Music Magazine says: “These two concerto emerge as fresh masterpieces. …Equally convincing in this repertoire is the orchestra performing alongside [Kahánek] with rhythmic alertness and sensitivity.”
In its Monthly Choice review of Glyndebourne’s acclaimed production, the magazine extols, ‘Vanessa is a great American masterpiece. Here now is the production and cast that Vanessa has been waiting for.” Announcing its win in the DVD category, the Magazine says, “This wonderful production of an American opera was deemed by the jury to be heads and shoulders above the competition. A production that, our original review said, this opera has been waiting for. An incredible line-up…creates magic from start to finish.”
Hrůša says, “I am extremely happy, and especially so at this very difficult time, to have been given two prestigious BBC Music Magazine Awards at this year’s ceremony. I am grateful for any prize or award, but this one touches me by its rare combination of the experts’ judgement and the appreciation of the general public. Both play equal roles in deciding the result. Apart from at the end of concerts, we performers rarely have the opportunity to encounter the opinion of audiences directly – this prize enables us to learn when we have made an impression with listeners in the nicest possible way. I remember creating both Dvořák and Martinů concerti with Ivo Kahánek in Bamberg, and the production of Barber’s Vanessa with the director Keith Warner at Glyndebourne, with much fondness.”
Watch the BBC Music Magazine Award Concerto and DVD Announcements
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020: Concerto Awards from BBC Music Magazine on Vimeo.
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2020: DVD Award from BBC Music Magazine on Vimeo.