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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Suk: Asrael Symphony
Jiří Bělohlávek , Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on Mar 1, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák: Symphony No. 6
Vaclav Talich, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Symphonic Music - Released by Infinity on Feb 15, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Týden nové tvorby 1982
Vít Gregor, Zdenek Kosler, Rostislav Hališka, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Vokální skupina Jiřího Linhy, State Symphonic Orchestra Gottwaldov
Classical - Released by SUPRAPHON a.s. on Nov 24, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Smetana: The Bartered Bride: Stravinsky: Playing Cards & The Firebird Suite
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, USSR State Symphony Orchestra, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by Firefly Entertainment on Jun 1, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bedrich Smetana: Má vlast (My Fatherland) (Album of 1941)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaclav Talich
Classical - Released by GazzaLadra on Mar 30, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sanabria: Atlántica - Elan - Sinfonia Urbana - World Premiere Recordings (Digitally Remastered)
Classical - Released by EMG Classical on Jan 11, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Karel Šejna. Great Czech Conductors
Karel Sejna, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by SUPRAPHON a.s. on Mar 23, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65, J.260 (Digitally Remastered)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Ancerl
Classical - Released by EMG Classical on Oct 23, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Proms Music 2016, Vol. 1
Ernest Ansermet, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by Editions Audiovisuel Beulah on Jul 8, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65 J. 260
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Ancerl
Classical - Released by Red Note OMP on May 17, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák & Miaskovsky: Cello Concerto, Op. 104 - Cello Concerto, Op. 66
Mstislav Rostropovich, Vaclav Talich, Sir Malcolm Sargent, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra
Symphonic Music - Released by Infinity on May 15, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Best Of Pablo Casals Cello Concertos, vol. 6
Pablo Casals, George Szell, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Classical - Released by Infinity on Dec 9, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dvořák: Symphony NO. 6, OP. 60, B.112
Symphonic Music - Released by Altair on Feb 21, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
La Gran Música: Mendelssohn
Classical - Released by Alpha Center Digital on Jul 4, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo