Czech Philharmonic

The Czech Philharmonic celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. Its first concert took place on 4 January 1896, when no less a figure than Antonín Dvořák himself conducted a program of his own works. Since then, the orchestra has set benchmarks in Czech repertoire, with Smetana, Dvořák, Janáček, and Martinů, as well as in its interpretations of Mahler, Brahms, and Tchaikovsky. Mahler himself conducted the premiere of his Seventh Symphony in Prague in 1908. The orchestra achieved international renown under Václav Talich, its Chief Conductor from 1919 to 1941; his work was continued by Rafael Kubelík, Karel Ančerl, and Václav Neumann. Semyon Bychkov has led the orchestra since 2018; in 2028, after a decade at the helm, he will pass the role of Music Director to Jakub Hrůša. Sir Simon Rattle has served as Principal Guest Conductor since 2024. In the 2026-27 season, the Czech Philharmonic gives 72 concerts in the Czech Republic and appears in 22 performances on European tours. Marking the 200th anniversary of his death, a focus of the season will be on Ludwig van Beethoven. Thomas Adès will be in Prague as composer-in-residence, while Janine Jansen will serve as artist-in-residence. Recent releases include a complete cycle of Mahler symphonies with Bychkov (spring 2026). The orchestra is also active in education, with around 300 projects each season for schools and disadvantaged groups, including “Romano drom” for Roma children, and it runs both a youth orchestra and an academy for young professionals.

Lucerne Festival (IMF) debut on 26 August 1969 in a program of Suk, Smetana, and Martinů conducted by Václav Neumann.

May 2026