Prague, Dec 13 (CTK) – Czech Philharmonic (CF) wants to firm up its position as the national orchestra in the next five years, it wants to pay more attention to raising its future players and backing the present key ones, and also to extend its offer of educational programmes, CF director David Marecek said on Tuesday.
In cooperation with the Agrofert Foundation, the CF will complete materials for elementary and secondary schools’ music lessons, Marecek told journalists.
“The CF is probably the only [Czech] orchestra with the ambition to be among the world elite but has hot been hit by the trend of globalisation. It is comprised exclusively of Czech musicians. As a result, it has a unique sound…as one of its main qualities. We are convinced that it is possible to maintain the Czech character of the orchestra and bring its quality up to the world level at the same time,” Marecek said.
Like in the past period, the CF’s artistic plan leans on the personality of its chief conductor Jiri Belohlavek.
Cooperation with Jakub Hrusa as the standing guest conductor is also important for the CF to maintain its Czech line.
The CF’s contact with the world elite has been represented by its cooperation with Semyon Bychkov, the artistic director of the orchestra’s Tchaikovsky project, Marecek said.
“When planning the seasons to come, we want to bring world star conductors to Prague, cooperate with internationally renowned composers and conductors and search for the best talented conductors from the young generation,” Marecek said.
He said Czech music will be the base of the CF’s repertoire, including the works to be recorded or performed abroad.
The materials, including audiovisual, the CF has prepared for schoolchildren together with the Agrofert Foundation, will cost 15.7 million in the next four years.
They will be available online as will be complementary materials for teachers, Marecek said.
At the same time, CF players and lecturers will visit selected schools to acquaint students with the world of an orchestra, individual instruments and compositions, and encourage them to their own music activity.
The CF’s 121st season started in late September.
The CF receives 142 million crowns for its operation from the state and it has to earn another 90 million by itself.
Since 2011, the CF’s incomes from its activities have risen from 79 to 141 million crowns, which is about 45 percent of its annual budget.
