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Debut of Martin Leginus with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra

 

Why is this concert worth it? Because Leginus. For unexplained reasons, this conductor has only now taken the helm of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra for his debut. His artistic CV is rich, he has been associated with the Slovak National Theatre since 2006, and from 2013 to 2016 he was the music director of the State Opera in Prague. He has a relationship with opera, chamber and symphonic repertoire and his concert with the Slovak Philharmonic confirms his qualities. Martin Leginus is a Professional with a clear opinion who gets what he wants from the orchestra. At least this is how I perceived his „American“ entrée in the Slovak Philharmonic. Both Americans, Copland and Gershwin, suits him very well. The Slovak Philharmonic under Leginus´ baton played very well. It was encouraging that the philharmonic players were smiling. They played in a relaxed but highly professional manner. Leginus is a dynamic conductor, he spends a lot of energy to achieve the necessary effect, but visual is pleasing and actually he commands even more attention. Leginus is kind of witness to the former Czechoslovakia, its traditions, its cultural , heritage, our genes. We perceive Czech music as ours, and probably nothing has changed in the years since its division. However, if nowadys there is a possibility of a real application in the country of our western neighbours, as Martin Leginus had, then this „Czechness“ gets right into the blood. His Dvořák sang those moving, tender melodies, he modelled one of the most beautiful slow movements in the world´s symphonic repertoire, also he has conducted in lightly dancing mood or with exuberant imagination reaching the point of the whole symphony. Leginus and Philharmonic did a fine job.

Viera Polakovičová, 16. februára 2021, Opera Slovakia

 


Debut of Martin Leginus with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra

 

Why is this concert worth it? Because Leginus. For unexplained reasons, this conductor has only now taken the helm of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra for his debut. His artistic CV is rich, he has been associated with the Slovak National Theatre since 2006, and from 2013 to 2016 he was the music director of the State Opera in Prague. He has a relationship with opera, chamber and symphonic repertoire and his concert with the Slovak Philharmonic confirms his qualities. Martin Leginus is a Professional with a clear opinion who gets what he wants from the orchestra. At least this is how I perceived his „American“ entrée in the Slovak Philharmonic. Both Americans, Copland and Gershwin, suits him very well. The Slovak Philharmonic under Leginus´ baton played very well. It was encouraging that the philharmonic players were smiling. They played in a relaxed but highly professional manner. Leginus is a dynamic conductor, he spends a lot of energy to achieve the necessary effect, but visual is pleasing and actually he commands even more attention. Leginus is kind of witness to the former Czechoslovakia, its traditions, its cultural , heritage, our genes. We perceive Czech music as ours, and probably nothing has changed in the years since its division. However, if nowadys there is a possibility of a real application in the country of our western neighbours, as Martin Leginus had, then this „Czechness“ gets right into the blood. His Dvořák sang those moving, tender melodies, he modelled one of the most beautiful slow movements in the world´s symphonic repertoire, also he has conducted in lightly dancing mood or with exuberant imagination reaching the point of the whole symphony. Leginus and Philharmonic did a fine job.

Viera Polakovičová, 16. februára 2021, Opera Slovakia