Czech National Symphony Orchestra

CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Czech National Symphony Orchestra was established in 1993 by trumpet player Jan Hasenöhrl. A spiritual father at the birth of the CNSO was the legendary conductor Zdeněk Košler. In the year 1996, the American Paul Freeman took over as Chief Conductor, and remained in this position for fantastic ten years. At the beginning of the year 2007, Maestro Libor Pešek was named the Chief Conductor and he still remains at this position today.

Celebrating its 20th birthday in 2013, the CNSO has gained an important position among both Czech and Europe’s top symphonic ensembles. Renowned for its versatility, the orchestra presents annually a broad program ranging from classical music concerts through contemporary genre, film scores, jazz, or musicals. In its new era, The Czech National Symphony Orchestra is also organizing summer Prague Proms Festival which annually attracts the audience for presenting greatest international performers. Such composers, conductors, and performers as Ennio Morricone, Lalo Schifrin, James Morrison, Pino Donnagio, Giuliano Taviani, or Steven Mercurio repeatedly come back to Prague to either record with the orchestra in its studio or perform in the beautiful Smetana Hall of Prague´s Municipal House, the home concert stage of the orchestra.

Besides concerts in auditoriums and concert halls, the CNSO has accompanied some of the most important pop artists of our time, among them Andrea Bocelli, Sting, George Michael. Successful tours have taken place over the British Isles, France, Spain, Dubai, Japan, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. Among the highlights of the current concert season undoubtedly belongs the collaboration with Vince Mendoza, one of the best contemporary crossover conductors, and world-renowned trumpet player Randy Brecker. On the classical field the orchestra will renew its long-time cooperation with Andrea Bocelli, and in a new project the CNSO will be accompanying Rolando Villazon on a prestigious European tour.

The Czech National Symphony Orchestra has recorded music for numerous great films such as Marcelino pan y vino, Open Range (directed by Kevin Costner and starring Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall), The Illusionist (starring Edward Norton and Jessica Biel), Passion (directed by Brian De Palma and starring Rachel McAdams), The Crimson Rivers (starring Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel), and most recently The Best Offer (directed by Giuseppe Tomatore and starring Geoffrey Rush). Giuseppe Tornatore’s new film The Best Offer has received excellent reviews and was nominated for the European Film Prize. The accompanying music composed by Ennio Morricone and recorded by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra won Best Score at the58th David di Donatello Awards, Best Score at the 67th Silver Ribbon Awards and Best Composer at the 26th European Film Awards