Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
The Czech Philharmonic is the leading symphonic ensemble in the musically rich Czech Republic, with a long history of definitive performances and recordings of Czech repertory. The orchestra has sometimes found itself a topic of political contention as the waves of European history have swept across its homeland.
Like many other Central European orchestras, the Czech Philharmonic (the Czech name since 2015 is Česká filharmonie, and the word "orchestra" is no longer part of its name) began as a theater orchestra: a group of orchestral musicians at the Prague National Theatre named themselves the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in 1894, and in two years, the wisdom of the move became apparent when Dvořák conducted the group in a concert of his own works. By 1901, the Philharmonic was a fully independent entity, and it quickly gained renown beyond Czech borders; Mahler conducted the orchestra in the world premiere of his Symphony No. 7 in 1908. The most important among the orchestra's early conductors was Vaclav Talich, who held the post of principal conductor for most of the period between 1919 and 1941.
The orchestra's conductors since then have all been internationally renowned figures. Rafael Kubelik assumed the baton under German occupation in 1942, remaining until 1948 but fleeing at that point as Czechoslovakia came under Communist rule. His successors have included Karel Ancerl (who fled to Canada during the Soviet crackdown after the so-called Prague Spring of 1968), Václav Neumann, and Jiří Bělohlávek, all of whom were distinguished interpreters of Czech music, Mahler, and often French and 20th century music as well. Their recordings gained critical acclaim in the West despite Czechoslovakia's partial isolation during the Cold War. In the late '80s, the orchestra participated in Czech protests against Soviet domination. A performance of Smetana's Má vlast in 1990 marked Kubelik's return to his homeland for the first time in 42 years. Bělohlávek served from 1990 to 1992, stepping down as the orchestra appointed Gerd Albrecht to be its first non-Czech conductor. This move generated controversy, and Albrecht also resigned in 1996. He was succeeded by Vladimir Ashkenazy (1996-2003), who led the orchestra on major international tours. He was followed by Zdeněk Mácal and the Eliahu Inbal. Bělohlávek returned in 2012 and was essentially given a contract for life, making critically acclaimed recordings before his death in 2017. Since 2018, the orchestra's conductor has been Semyon Bychkov.
The Czech Philharmonic has recorded prolifically during the digital era, at first mostly for the Czech national label Supraphon. In the late 2010s, the group has also recorded for the Decca label, which has continued to issue Bělohlávek recordings in its vaults. In 2019, his reading of Josef Suk's Asrael Symphony appeared on that label. The Bychkov era began on Decca with The Tchaikovsky Project (2019), a complete cycle of the composer's symphonies, concertos, and other orchestral works. In 2022, Bychkov and the Philharmonic issued a pair of Mahler symphony releases on the PentaTone Classics label. By that time, the group's recording catalog comprised some 140 digital albums, plus many LPs issued when the Philharmonic was the national orchestra of Czechoslovakia.
© James Manheim /TiVo
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Prokofiev & R. Schumann: Piano Concertos (Live)
Samson François, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National De Paris, Karel Ancerl, Carlo Maria Giulini
Classical - Released by Archipel on Mar 27, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Talich Special Edition 12. Dvořák: Symphonies Nos 6 & 7
Vaclav Talich, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by SUPRAPHON a.s. on Mar 23, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sinfonietta And Six Lach Dances
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Brno Radio Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Artia Records on Mar 24, 1965
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Sibelius & Paganini: Violin Concerto, OP. 47 - Violin Concerto NO. 2, OP. 7
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Yulian Sitkovetsky, Moscow Youth Radio Symphony Orchestra
Concertos - Released by Altair on Aug 13, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pictures At An Exhibition
Classical - Released by Artia Records on Mar 26, 1953
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Talich Special Edition 11. Dvořák: Concert Overtures, Waltzes & Polonaises
Vaclav Talich, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Soloists Orchestra
Classical - Released by Supraphon a.s. on Jun 23, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Masterpieces, Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Václav Neumann, Russell Sherman
Classical - Released by Menuetto Classics on Jan 1, 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Talich Special Edition 8. Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Tchaikovsky: Symphony "Pathétique" in B minor
Vaclav Talich, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by Supraphon a.s. on Mar 17, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák, Janáček, Prokofiev & Others: Orchestral Works (Live)
Classical - Released by Andromeda on Feb 12, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 - Kalinnikov: Symphony No. 1 in G Minor (Live)
Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Hermann Scherchen
Classical - Released by Archipel on Jan 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Symphonies No. 1 of Brahms & Kalinnikov
Hermann Scherchen, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by OperaPrima-Carillon on Apr 23, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pierre Fournier Schumann and Dvorak Cello Concertos live
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Georges Sebastian, Léopold Stokowski, Pierre Fournier
Classical - Released by Archipel on Dec 11, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Zemlinsky: Lyric Symphony & Incidental Music to Cymbeline
Antony Beaumont, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Turid Karlsen, Jaroslav Brezina, Franz Grundheber, Bremen Shakespeare Company Members
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on Apr 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Martinů: Symphony No. 1 & Concerto for Double String Orchestra, Piano & Timpani
Jiří Bělohlávek , Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Jaroslav Šaroun, Vaclav Mazacek
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on Feb 1, 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák: Cello Concerto and Piano Concerto
Mstislav Rostropovich, František Maxián, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by Regis Records on Sep 22, 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák: Symphony No.7, Op.70, B. 141
Symphonic Music - Released by Altair on Feb 21, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák & Myaskovsky: Cello Concerto No.2, OP. 104 - Cello Concerto, OP. 66
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Mstislav Rostropovich, Philharmonia Orchestra
Concertos - Released by Altair on Sep 9, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Martin Turnovský. Great Czech Conductors
Martin Turnovsky, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by SUPRAPHON a.s. on Apr 27, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Historical Bruckner Vol. IV
Franz Konwitschny, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphonic Music - Released by Urania Records on May 31, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Symphony No. 6 In "B" Minor Opus 74 "Pathetique"
Classical - Released by Artia Records on Mar 26, 1953
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Symphony No. 3 In F Major, Op. 76 / Othello Overture, Op. 93
Classical - Released by Artia Records on Mar 26, 1960
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo