CZECH REPUBLIC - Music is a language that we don't always understand with words, but which can evoke strong emotions in us. And just like its tones, some musical terms sound mysterious or distant. For example, do you know exactly what the word "philharmonic" means? Come with Kudy z nudy to explore the world of orchestras, conductors, and famous concert halls, and discover interesting facts that you may not have known. If we are not connoisseurs and lovers of classical music, the word "philharmonic" may sound as exotic to us as instructions in adagio, andante, dolce, larghetto, or crescendo scores. So, come with Kudy z nudy to take a closer look at our and European philharmonies, their stories, and their history. And here's an interesting fact: every year ending in four brings a number of musical anniversaries. In 2024, not only the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884) was celebrated, but also the anniversaries of Leoš Janáček (1854–1928) or Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904). It was he who conducted the first concert of the Czech Philharmonic.
On January 4, 1896, when the first notes of the Czech Philharmonic resonated in Prague's Rudolfinum, Antonín Dvořák, already a world-renowned composer, stood on the conductor's podium. He conducted his own works, including the Third Slavic Rhapsody, the premiere of five Biblical Songs, the Othello overture, and the famous Symphony No. 9 "From the New World." The concert took place in a hall that today bears Dvořák's name, and it became the foundation of a tradition that has made the Czech Philharmonic one of the most respected orchestras in Europe. Over more than a century of its history, prominent conductors such as Václav Talich, Rafael Kubelík, Václav Neumann, Jiří Bělohlávek, and the current chief conductor, Semjon Byčkov, have led the orchestra. Jakub Hrůša will succeed him in the fall of 2028.
Although it was a long time ago, some other orchestras have an even longer history. The oldest large musical ensemble in the Czech lands is probably the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, whose history, linked to the very founding of Karlovy Vary (Marienbad), dates back to 1821. In 1835, the Carlsbad Symphony Orchestra was founded as a seasonal spa orchestra; concerts by both ensembles traditionally mark the opening of the spa season in both spa towns.
The history of the North Bohemian Philharmonic Teplice also dates back to the early 19th century; its founding charter and official approval of the orchestra bear the year 1838.
In the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, the word "band" was used for a group of musicians. In the Baroque period, the word "orchestra" first appeared; it comes from the Greek term "orchestra," which refers to the space between the stage and the audience in an ancient theater. Orchestras later began to be distinguished by the type of musical instruments and size, ranging from the smallest chamber orchestras to symphony orchestras and philharmonics. Philharmonic orchestras typically have more than a hundred instrumentalists, grouped into instrument sections. The artistic director of a philharmonic is the chief conductor, but large orchestras also have permanent and guest conductors.
4. The Oldest Orchestras of Central Europe
The Gewandhausorchester is considered the oldest concert orchestra in Central Europe: that is, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, which today ranks among the largest professional orchestras worldwide with nearly 200 musicians. Its history dates back to 1479, when the city council of Leipzig employed trumpeters as musical accompaniment for civic celebrations. The actual musical ensemble was founded in 1743 and held its first concert on March 11th. Another orchestra with a long history is the Dresden Staatskapelle, which was established by Elector Maurice of Saxony in 1548 as a representative court body modeled after other European nobles. Although it could be called the Dresden Philharmonic, it retained the word "Kapelle" (chorus) in its name to reflect its original form and function.
5. Strike and Rebellion
A strike was at the birth of the Czech Philharmonic: on February 9, 1901, members of the orchestra of the National Theatre (and also regular members of the association Česká filharmonie) went on strike against the opera director Karel Kovářovic. A few days later, all striking musicians were fired and Kovářovic began building a new theater orchestra. However, the dismissed players refused to accept their fate and decided to found the Czech Philharmonic as an independent symphony orchestra.
They were not alone in rebelling on the music scene; rebellion also led to the founding of the Berlin Philharmonic in 1882. The ensemble was founded by dozens of musicians who left Benjamin Bilse's orchestra due to his authoritarian approach, low pay, and even because they had to travel fourth-class train for a concert in Warsaw. Instead of using the name Frühere Bilsesche Kapelle ("former Bilsé chorus"), it took several years before they began performing under the name Berliner Philharmoniker.
6. Czech, Moravian and Silesian Philharmonics
Nearly all regional cities in the Czech Republic have their own philharmonic orchestras. Among the leading and oldest symphony orchestras in the Czech Republic is the Moravian Philharmonic Olomouc, which was founded immediately after the end of World War II on May 26th, 1945. A year later, the Pilsen Radio Orchestra (today's Pilsen Philharmonic) and today’s Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic in Zlín were established. The latter originated as the Symphony Orchestra of National Enterprise Baťa; when it changed its name to Workers' Philharmonic two years later, it clearly revealed its main mission: bringing serious music closer to workers at factories in Zlín. It has been performing under today's name since 1989.
The Chamber Philharmonic Vysočina in Jihlava also underwent a name change; on the centenary of Gustav Mahler’s death, it was renamed the Gustav Mahler Philharmonic. The current Hradec Králové Philharmonic has changed its name several times as well: founded in 1978 under the name Orchestra of the City of Hradec Králové, today's orchestra traces its history to the Sokol Philharmonic (1921–65) and the Philharmonic Union established in the city already in 1887. The South Bohemian Philharmonic in České Budějovice is listed as founded in 1981 in local records, with dozens of members today. Another smaller symphony ensemble of Haydn-Mozart type is the Chamber Philharmonic Pardubice, established in 1969.
7. Philharmonics and Their New Homes in Ostrava, Brno and Prague
The new Philharmonic building is not only anticipated by the Czech Philharmonic in Prague, but also by major orchestras in other cities. The new concert hall, which resembles a violin case from above, or even a spaceship and a dragonfly, ranks among Ostrava's most awaited buildings. The reconstruction of the cultural center and the extension of the concert hall according to the design of American architect Steven Holl will provide appropriate facilities for Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra in Ostrava, which has been operating under provisional conditions since its founding.
The new concert hall with approximately 1200 seats, one of the largest stages in Europe and acoustics comparable to the world's most famous halls, is expected at Janácek Cultural Center in Brno. The large concert hall will welcome mainly Philharmonic Orchestra Brno, which does not have suitable spaces where it could play with a full ensemble. For years they rehearsed in the picturesque but small Beseda House, into which even the entire orchestra did not fit. Leoš Janáček's music can finally be heard as intended: for example, the Glagolitic Mass with a large organ solo cannot be played anywhere; neither does it fit an orchestra, choir and real organs.
Philharmonies and orchestras in numbers
The Czech Republic surprisingly has a dense network of symphony orchestras, philharmonic societies and other permanent musical ensembles. According to the latest available cultural statistics, several dozen professional groups regularly show activity, from large regional philharmonics to local orchestras. Together they perform thousands of concerts annually and attract hundreds of thousands of listeners.
How many are there?
National statistics track the activities of about forty musical ensembles and major orchestras.
How many people play in an orchestra?
A large symphony orchestra usually consists of approximately 80 to 120 players. In larger bodies, such as Czech Philharmonic or Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, the number of musicians is higher.
How many concerts are performed annually?
The most productive body is the Czech Philharmonic with 400 to 500 concerts per year.
Czech Philharmonic as a flagship
The Czech Philharmonic belongs among the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic and has long represented Czech music abroad. In international comparison, it ranks among respected world orchestras; Gramophone magazine named it Orchestra of the Year in 2024.
Without public support this would not be possible
Attendance at concerts is important but does by no means cover all costs. The operation of professional orchestras is therefore heavily dependent on support from cities, regions, state and other public and private partners.
kudyznudy.cz / gnews.cz