Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

One of the leading Czech orchestras, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra (PRSO) is also one of the oldest. Thanks to its imaginative programming and ever improving artistic standards it has earned an important position in Czech concert life. At the same time it is a welcome guest at concert halls abroad. The PRSO’s tradition dates back to 1926 and is linked to the early broadcasts of the Radiojournal station. After 1945 the ensemble was transformed into a large symphony orchestra with the likes of Karel Ancerl, Alois Klíma, Jaroslav Krombholc and František Vajnar serving as its principal conductor. Guest conductors have included Václav Talich, Václav Neumann, Libor Pešek, Charles Munch, Franz Konwitschny, Hermann Scherchen, Gennady Rozhdestvensky and Charles Mackerras. The orchestra has always placed great importance on contemporary music and Sergey Prokofiev, Ottorino Respighi, Arthur Honegger, Aram Khachaturian, Ernst Krenek and Krzysztof Penderecki have conducted the PRSO performing their own compositions. From 1985 to 2011 the PRSO was headed by Vladimír Válek, who is today honorary chief conductor. Under his methodical leadership, the orchestra reached a high professional standard. Ondrej Lenárd has been leading the orchestra as chief conductor since the 2011–2012 season, and Tomáš Brauner has been chief guest conductor since the 2014–15 season.