Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
“Music washes the dust of everyday life away from the soul.” ~Berthold Auerbach
The Czech Philharmony‘s very first concert was on 4th January 1896 at the Rudolfinum and was conducted by Antonin Dvorak. In 1901, Ludvik Celansky became the first Chief Conductor. Then Vaclav Talich took up the Chief Conductor’s baton. He was the first internationally known conductor and conducted totaly 924 concerts and he is considered the founder of its interpretational tradition. After Talich’s great sucess, other outstanding conductors came. The period from 1950 to 1968 is considered the orchestra’s greatest period of artistic development. It was under Karel Ancerl’s leadership.
The orchestra gained a reputation as a first-class ensemble of the world. Karel Ancerl continued in his plan in the tradition of his forerunners, it means that he continued in the Czech repertoire, but enriched it by works of foreign composers. For example by works of Stravinsky, Strauss, Bartók, Shostakovich, and Prokofiev. At the beginning of the 2003/2004 season, Zdeněk Mácal became the tenth Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic. Philharmony’s reputation has been furthered by internationally-esteemed guest conductors since the beginning of its existence – Edvard Grieg, Eugene Ysaye, Sergey Rachmaninoff, Artur Nikisch, and Gustav Mahler.
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra also performed abroad and it contributed to its international renown. The orchestra’s reputation within Europe was built already before the war. They performed in Great Britain where they guest to this day. Above all in the prestigious BBC Proms and at the Edinburgh Festival. In the first concert overseas in 1959, the Orchestra performed in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, China, India, and the Soviet Union.
On January 4th, 2006, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated its 110th year of existence in the best state of artistic well-being imaginable, and is about to launch its 111th concert season. Concernig the newest orchestra’s released CD – recordings made for the Japanese market has met big acclaim. Czech Philharmony and Zdenek Macal together with Octavia Records have been progressively working on record the complete symphonies of Antonín Dvořák, Gustav Mahler, P. I. Tchaikovsky and Johannes Brahms.
Everything concernig Czech Philharmonic orchestra, other informations, prices, tickets and concert schedule, you can find at the websites.
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