Leoš Janáček composed many of his great operas, orchestral works and chamber music in the Moravian city of Brno. In the 1870s Janáček founded the Czech Symphony Orchestra, precursor to the Brno Philharmonic. Distinguished American maestro Dennis Russell Davies is the latest in a long line of noted chief conductors of the Brno Philharmonic to champion the music of its founding composer. Davies opened the orchestra’s UK tour at St George’s Hall with Janáček’s orchestral rhapsody Taras Bulba, composed between 1915 and 1918. One of the great composer’s most graphic orchestral scores anticipates freedom for the Moravian people whilst depicting the grim fate of the Ukrainian Cossack Captain, Taras Bulba and his two sons. Russell Davies beautifully integrated the agitated rhythms of battle, stark tragedy, a wild mazurka and a triumphant apotheosis with the sonic splendour of full orchestra, plus organ (electronic on this occasion) and chiming bells.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold, born Brno in 1897, was invited to Hollywood in 1934, initially to compose a score for Warner Brothers’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His romantic Violin Concerto in D was premiered on 15th February 1947 with soloist Jascha Heifetz and the St Louis Symphony Orchestra. Korngold borrows themes from his music for four films including two Errol Flynn vehicles: Another Dawn and The Prince and the Pauper. The Slovak violin virtuoso Milan Pala and the Brno Philharmonic brilliantly captured the intense cinematic grandeur of this bewitching Concerto. Pala’s fluidity, pushing forward then holding back drew the listener into Korngold’s captivating sound world.

Dvořák’s Symphony No 9 in E minor ‘From the New World’ occupied the second half of the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies. His expansive account of the 1st movement made one listen out for every nuance. The Largo with its exquisitely shaped cor anglais solo was deeply felt while the Scherzo had an infectious rhythmic momentum. Davies expanded the 4th movement’s blazing E major apotheosis and then held the final chord to a sublime pianissimo from woodwind and brass. Doubtless the enthusiastic audience would have liked more music.