Prague/Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra (SOČR)

The Prague or Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra (abbreviated as SOČR), formerly known as the Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Radiojournal Orchestra, is a symphonic musical ensemble based in Prague and a part of Czech Radio. It was founded in 1926 and is among the most prominent Czech orchestras of today.

On May 18, 1923, regular radio broadcasting began in Czechoslovakia, managed by the Radiojournal company. Music was an integral part of broadcasting from the start. In 1925, Radiojournal employed its first full-time musicians, starting with a sextet primarily composed of Czech Philharmonic members. The first radio conductor was Jožka Charvát, who conducted three performances in 1925 and regular radio concerts in Radiopalác in Vinohrady in spring 1926. The initial sextet was officially dissolved and expanded into an orchestra, starting with just twenty members and still requiring additional musicians from the Czech Philharmonic.

The radio orchestra began its activities on October 1, and the next day held its first concert under Jožka Charvát, playing Fibich’s Symphony No. 2, Beethoven’s Violin Romances (solo by the concertmaster František Daniel), selections from Dvořák’s Legends, and the overture to Smetana’s The Bartered Bride. The ensemble quickly needed more musicians, leading to auditions for what became a fully-fledged radio orchestra.

During the German occupation, the radio and its symphony orchestra faced many changes. New musicians joined from other disbanded radio orchestras, and a second smaller radio ensemble was formed to handle popular music, opera, and operetta productions. Otakar Jeremiáš remained the head of the main radio symphony orchestra until the end of the occupation.

In 1947, Karel Ančerl was appointed chief conductor of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra. With the advent of tape recording, Ančerl and the orchestra made many artistically successful and technically progressive recordings. In 1950, Ančerl became the head of the Czech Philharmonic.

The 1950s marked the beginning of more than two decades under Alois Klíma. He transformed the radio symphony into one of the top ensembles capable of the most demanding tasks. The orchestra began traveling abroad, established subscription concerts, regularly appeared at the Prague Spring festival, and recorded hundreds of pieces, including contemporary music.

The orchestra collaborated with prominent conductors such as Franz Konwitschny, Ottorino Respighi, Nikolai Malko, George Szell, and others, and established a high professional standing. The German occupation brought significant changes, including new musicians from closed radio orchestras in Bratislava, Ostrava, and Košice. A second smaller radio ensemble was created, and Otakar Jeremiáš continued to lead the main orchestra. After World War II, the radio symphony saw significant developments under conductors like Karel Ančerl and Alois Klíma, enhancing its repertoire and performance level.

Vladimír Válek’s tenure as chief conductor starting in 1985 marked a new era for the orchestra. He rejuvenated the ensemble, improved its sound, and expanded its repertoire and public performances, earning it high artistic prestige. His dynamic leadership was followed by Ondrej Lenárd in 2011, who continued to demonstrate the orchestra’s capability to masterfully present the most challenging compositions, particularly those of Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. Under Lenárd’s leadership, the orchestra celebrated its 90th season, affirming its status as a top symphonic ensemble.

Source: Wikipedia