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Jiri Belohlavek, In Prague with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Bela Bartok

Jiri Belohlavek talks to Tom Service about rejoining the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Rob Cameron discusses the orchestra's history in Prague. Plus a new book on Bartok.

Tom Service speaks to Jiri Belohlavek, chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic and Rob Cameron, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's correspondent in Prague attends rehearsals for the Prague Spring Festival to look into the orchestra's history, future and unique sound. Tom also discusses a new book on the Hungarian composer Bela Bartok by David Cooper, which he reviews with the writer and translator Kenneth Chalmers.

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45 minutes

Last on

Sat 30 May 2015 12:15

Chapters

  • Jiří BÄ›lohlávek

    Duration: 12:58

  • In Prague with the Czech Philharmonic

    Duration: 15:30

  • Book: Bela Bartok by David Cooper

    Duration: 15:03

JIRI BELOHLAVEK

JIRI BELOHLAVEK

Tom Service meets Jiri Belohlavek, chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic. Belohlavek was first appointed in that role in 1990, but after the Velvet Revolution the orchestra decided to look overseas for a conductor and Belohlavek left. He formed the Prague Philharmonia and then acted as chief conductor of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Symphony Orchestra from 2012 until 2015. Then came his return to the Czech Philharmonic. Belohlavek talks to Tom about his relationship with the Czech Philharmonic now and his future plans with the orchestra. He also talks about setting up the Prague Philharmonia, which he feels gave him renewed strength and opportunities.

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IN PRAGUE WITH THE CZECH PHILHARMONIC

IN PRAGUE WITH THE CZECH PHILHARMONIC

To find out more about the turbulent history, unique sound and future plans of the Czech Philharmonic, Rob Cameron, the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s Prague correspondent, attended rehearsals at the Municipal Hall for the orchestra’s first concert in this year’s Prague Spring International Festival where they were playing Mahler’s Third Symphony. There he spoke to the orchestra’s General Manager, Robert Hanc, the current leader Josef Spacek, percussionist Daniel Mikolasek and the journalist Frank Kuznik.

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BOOK: BELA BARTOK BY DAVID COOPER

BOOK: BELA BARTOK BY DAVID COOPER

David Cooper’s new book traces Bela Bartok’s international career as ardent ethno-musicologist and composer, teacher and pianist, while discussing most of his works in detail. It also explores how Europe’s political and cultural tumult affected Bartok’s work, travel and reluctant emigration to the safety of America in his final years. Tom talks to the author and reviews the book with the writer and translator Kenneth Chalmers.

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Broadcast

  • Sat 30 May 2015 12:15

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