Conductor Jakub Hrůša wins ICMA award for new CD

Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša has won the International Classical Music Award (ICMA) in the Symphonic Music category, the ICMA announced on its website on Wednesday. The award was given for the CD “Rott: Symphony No. 1 – Mahler: Blumine – Bruckner: Symphonic Prelude", which features compositions by Austrians Hans Rott, Gustav Mahler and Anton Bruckner performed by the Bamberg Symphony that was conducted by Mr Hrusa.

The ICMA writes that Hrusa’s and the Bamberg Symphony’s “interpretation is so convincing that we can say that no one else has advocated Rott’s music as profoundly as the performers on this recording.” Meanwhile, the featured works by Bruckner and Mahler “complete this suberb CD”, according to the ICMA.

The 41-year-old Czech conductor has led the Bamberg Symphony since 2016. He is set to take over as music director at the Royal Opera House from 2025.