Czech Philharmonic

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.

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