with Zsolt Hamar, principal conductor
The Czech National Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1908, during which, the orchestra performed its first concerts under the direction of Bohuslav Martinu. The orchestra is famous for performing the works of Dvorak, Smetana, Martinu, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert.
Over the course of its existence, the Czech National Philharmonic Orchestra has developed an extremely extensive and varied repertoire. It focuses mainly on the great composers of world music of the 19th and 20th centuries, however, it also promotes contemporary Czech and world music, as evidenced by the performance of more than 250 new compositions. The orchestra also ranks among the authentic interpreters of the classics of Czech national music culture: Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, Leoš Janáček and Bohuslav Martinu.
The Czech National Philharmonic has had legendary composers and conductors, including Gustav Mahler, Vítězslava Kaprálová, Josef Suk, Václav Neumann, Karel Ančerl, Herbert von Karajan; as well as Michael Gielen, Jean Martinen, Manfred Honeck, Elijahu inbal and Bela Bartok, to name but a few of the international conductors who have collaborated with the orchestra. In addition, it has worked with soloists such as Elaine Primo, Daniil Trifonov, Hilary Hahn, Ray Chen, Emanuel Ax, Katia and Marielle Labeque, and Peter Serkin.
It has a rich discography and performs at major international music festivals at home and abroad. Above all, it is a cultural institution that contributes substantially to the organization of artistic and concert life in the Czech Republic. It organizes the Czech Dvořák festival and the International Organ Festival Olomouc as well as a range of educational activities for children and young people.
The orchestra will embark on its first U.S. tour in 2025 in 20 of America’s leading cultural centers.
