Czech Philharmonic
The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra (Česká filharmonie in Czech language) is based in Prague and is probably the most famous and abroad respected Czech orchestra.
History
The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra was formerly the orchestra of the Prague National Opera. It played its first concert under its current name on January 4, 1896 when Antonín Dvořák conducted his own compositions, but it did not become fully independent from the opera until 1901. In 1908, Gustav Mahler led the orchestra in the world premiere of his Symphony No. 7. The orchestra first became internationally known under the baton of Václav Talich, who was principal conductor from 1919 to 1931, and again from 1933 to 1941. Subsequent conductors included Rafael Kubelík (1942-1948), Karel Ančerl (1950-1968), Václav Neumann (1968-1989) and Vladimir Ashkenazy (1996-2003). Zdenek Macal has been the chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra since September 1, 2003. Sir Charles Mackerras, Czech music specialist, is the chief guest composer.
Awards
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra won many prestige awards, 10 Grand Prix du disque de l´académie Charles Cros, 5 Grand Prix du disgue de l´académie français and some of Cannes Classical Awards (lastly in 2003). The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra was nominated for Grammy Awards in 2005.
Chief Conductors
- Zdenek Macal (2003–)
- Vladimir Ashkenazy (1996–2003)
- Gerd Albrecht (1993–1996)
- Jiří Bělohlávek (1990–1992)
- Václav Neumann (1968–1989)
- Karel Ančerl (1950–1968)
- Rafael Kubelík (1942–1948)
- Václav Talich (1933–1941)
- Václav Talich (1919–1931)
- Vilém Zemánek (1903–1918)
- Ludvík Čelanský (1901–1903)