Czech Philharmonic orchestra starts new season

Prague, Oct 4 (CTK) - The Czech Philharmonic orchestra (CF) opened the new season with a concert under the baton of the world-renowned Jiri Belohlavek as its new chief conductor and with the participation of famous Canadian baritone Gerald Finley Thursday.

Belohlavek, 66, was the chief conductor of the CF, the most prestigious Czech orchestra, once in the past. He left the post in 1992 when the players secretly chose German Gerd Albrecht to the post.

In the past six years, Belohlavek worked with the London-seated BBC Symphony Orchestra, gaining popularity among British listeners.

In late September, a recording of a concert of the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Belohlavek and performing six symphonies by Bohuslav Martinu won Britain's prestigious Gramophone Award prize.

Next year, Belohlavek is to join the Rotterdam Philharmonic as its chief guest conductor.

Belohlavek told CTK earlier this week that as the CF's chief conductor he wants to enhance the awareness of the unique character of the Czech music culture.

Through the CF's foreign tours he wants to teach foreigners to love Czech music, he said.

Belohlavek said he had a clear idea of an ideal interpretation of music that he developed during his 40 years as a music conductor. He will support CF players' creative approach to playing and to music in general, he added.

Thursday's concert opened with a Vox clamantis symphonic composition by the late Czech modern composer Peter Eben, followed by Beethoven's 5th symphony.

After the intermission, Finley performed Gustav Mahler's songs from The Youth's Magic Horn. The programme culminated with Sinfonietta, a composition by Leos Janacek.