Jakub Hrůša returns to Cleveland Orchestra with music from Germany, Czech Republic

Conductor's program features works by Brahms, Martinů, and Kaprálová

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Jakub Hrůša, a Czech conductor, returned to the Cleveland Orchestra after more than four years away, leading a program that featured works by Johannes Brahms, Bohuslav Martinů, and Vítězslava Kaprálová. The concert focused on the forms of the symphony and sinfonietta, as well as the synergy between Hrůša and the Orchestra, which produced some very fine playing.

Why it matters

Hrůša's return to the Cleveland Orchestra stage after a long absence was highly anticipated, as he has programmed a wide range of music during his previous appearances, including works from his home country of the Czech Republic. The concert featured lesser-known gems alongside cornerstones of the orchestral canon, showcasing Hrůša's diverse musical interests and the Orchestra's versatility.

The details

The program began with Brahms' Symphony No. 3, which Hrůša conducted with a focus on the work's quieter, gentler sections, including a recurring duet in the second movement featuring warm solos from clarinetist Afendi Yusuf and bassoonist John Clouser. The two Czech works performed after intermission, Kaprálová's Military Sinfonietta and Martinů's Symphony No. 3, grappled with the tension between light and darkness, reflecting the shadow of the Second World War under which they were written. Hrůša and the musicians honed in on the beauty amid the angular moments in these works, with standout solos from concertmaster Joel Link, flutist Jessica Sindell, and English hornist Robert Walters.

  • Jakub Hrůša returned to the Cleveland Orchestra podium on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The program repeated on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 3 p.m.

The players

Jakub Hrůša

A Czech conductor who has appeared with the Cleveland Orchestra over the past decade, programming a wide range of music including works from his home country, cornerstones of the orchestral canon, and lesser-known gems.

The Cleveland Orchestra

The renowned orchestra that commissioned Bohuslav Martinů's Second Symphony in 1943.

Joel Link

The concertmaster of The Cleveland Orchestra.

Jessica Sindell

The principal flutist of The Cleveland Orchestra.

Robert Walters

The principal English hornist of The Cleveland Orchestra.

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What they’re saying

“Without a concerto, the program focused instead on the forms of the symphony and sinfonietta — as well as on the synergy between Hrůša and the Orchestra, which produced some very fine playing.”

— Stephanie Manning, Correspondent (ClevelandClassical.com)

“Hrůša took his time with the Sinfonietta's more peaceful moments, including some shimmering solos by concertmaster Joel Link. While the conductor didn't escalate the work's peaks to the level of heart-racing fervor, moments of tension still arrived, accented by crisp rolls of snare drum and the growl of the timpani.”

— Stephanie Manning, Correspondent (ClevelandClassical.com)

What’s next

The program is scheduled to be repeated on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 3 p.m. for additional Cleveland Orchestra concertgoers.

The takeaway

Jakub Hrůša's return to the Cleveland Orchestra stage after a long absence showcased his diverse musical interests and the Orchestra's versatility, with the program featuring lesser-known works alongside cornerstones of the orchestral canon. The concert highlighted the synergy between Hrůša and the musicians, resulting in some very fine playing that captured the tension and beauty within the Czech and German repertoire.