The Czech Philharmonic, a 127-year-old orchestra with a rich and illustrious history, has been nominated for the prestigious ‘Orchestra of the Year’ award by Gramophone. Founded in 1896, its first concert featured an all Dvořák programme, conducted by the composer himself. Over the years, the Orchestra has developed a special relationship with the music of Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Mahler, with Mahler conducting the world premiere of his Symphony No. 7 with the Orchestra in 1908.
The Czech Philharmonic's history reflects its location at the heart of Europe and the Czech Republic’s turbulent political past, with Smetana’s Má vlast serving as a symbol of the country's struggle for independence. The Orchestra played a significant role in the Czechoslovakian revolution, with Chief Conductor Rafael Kubelík conducting a ‘concert of thanks’ featuring Má vlast in 1945 to mark the country's liberation.
The Orchestra has remained committed to its two core values of championing Czech composers and believing in music’s power to change lives. Under the leadership of Chief Conductor Václav Talich in the 1920s, the Orchestra pioneered concerts for workers, young people and voluntary organizations. This philosophy continues to this day, with the Orchestra engaging with over 400 schools and bringing all ages to the Rudolfinum to hear concerts and participate in masterclasses. The Orchestra's Youth Orchestra, Orchestral Academy, and Jiří Bělohlávek Prize for young musicians are also noteworthy initiatives. Additionally, an inspirational music and song programme led by singer Ida Kelarová for the Romany communities within the Czech Republic and Slovakia has helped many socially excluded families find their voice.
The Orchestra is dedicated to promoting the works of Czech composers, both established and new. Semyon Bychkov initiated a project at the start of his tenure that saw nine Czech composers and five international composers write works to be premiered by the Orchestra. The late Jiří Bělohlávek launched an annual young composers’ competition in 2014 to discover new talent.
In conclusion, the Czech Philharmonic is a world-renowned orchestra that has made significant contributions to music, championing Czech composers, and promoting music as a force for social change. With its recent nomination for the ‘Orchestra of the Year’ award and its upcoming Velvet Revolution concert, the Orchestra is poised to continue its legacy of excellence in the years to come.
If you want to know more about the Czech Philharmonic, you can do so by visiting their website. Or follow them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
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Smetana's sweeping Ma Vlast (My Homeland) ushers commemoration of the Velvet Revolution in this impassioned performance.
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Rarely-heard masterwork leads off the program as it carefully weaves in spoken and sung texts.
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A mighty performance of Schubert's ninth and final symphony. Featured alongside is his own arrangement of the American classical tradition.
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A direct influence can be heard in the Scherzo Triste op. 5 by his pupil Pavel Haas.
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Semyon Bychkov is joined by Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov in this double-bill of modern Russian classics.
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Maestro Jirí Belohlávek ascends to great heights at the Rudolfinum as he conducts well-known pieces in the classical music repertoire.
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Payare is joined by soprano Hannigan in a diverse program crested by a performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique.
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Nathalie Stutzmann transports you to a dusky, foreboding realm, where hope and light are at perpetual odd with fierce storms and undulating shadows.
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Violinist Leonidas Kavakos takes center-stage for a Brahms' Violin Concerto, followed by Beethoven's 'Pastorale' Symphony conducted by Daniel Harding.
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A performance driven by a transformative energy where we explore Honegger's third as well as Brahms' fourth and final symphony.
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Enjoy the majestic orchestra and conductor while they perform a fearless rendition of Bruckner's Symphony No. 6.
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Schubert's lyrical 'Unfinished' 8th Symphony leads off this charismatic concert and concludes by featuring Anton Bruckner's sacred 9th.
Wonderful idea to bring together the world's best orchestras. The Czech Philharmonic has audiences and fans all around the globe. The question is how do we reach and serve them? I think Symphony is the answer to our question.
Robert Hanč
General Manager of the Czech Philharmonic