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updated: 06/11/2024
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Performer Information

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Symfonický orchestr hlavního města Prahy FOK

Orchestra

The Prague Symphony Orchestra (Czech: Symfonický orchestr hlavního města Prahy FOK) is a Czech orchestra based in Prague. The orchestra has traditionally been known by the acronym ‘FOK’, standing for ‘Film-Opera-Koncert’, reflecting the orchestra’s fields of activity as envisioned by its founder. When the city of Prague made the orchestra its official concert ensemble in 1952, it retained the acronym, giving it the official title ‘Symphony Orchestra of the Capital City of Prague – FOK’.

Rudolf Pekárek founded the orchestra in 1934. In the 1930s the orchestra performed the scores for many Czech films, and also appeared regularly on Czech radio. An early promoter of the orchestra was Václav Smetáček, who became the orchestra’s chief conductor in 1942, and held the post for the next 30 years.

After Smetáček’s departure from the post of chief conductor, artistic leadership was taken over in succession by Ladislav Slovák (1972–1976), Jindřich Rohan (1976–1977), and then Jiří Bělohlávek (1977–1989), whose work marked an important stage from the standpoint of the ensemble’s intensive artistic development. After Bělohlávek came Petr Altrichter (1990–1992), Martin Turnovský (1992–1995), and Gaetano Delogu (1995–1998). Other important Czech conductors who have worked with the orchestra for an extensive time include Václav Neumann, Zdeněk Košler, and Vladimír Válek. From March 2001 to the end of the 2005/2006 concert season, the Chief Conductor and music director of the orchestra was Serge Baudo. Since the 2006/2007 concert season, Jiří Kout has held the position of Chief Conductor, whilst Serge Baudo is the honorary Conductor. In 2015/2016–2019/2020 Pietari Inkinen was Chief Conductor. Tomáš Brauner assumed the role of Chief Conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra in September 2020.

The orchestra built its reputation and respect by cooperation with internationally recognized conductors (Georg Solti, Seiji Ozawa, Zubin Mehta, Charles Mackerras, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Helmuth Rilling etc.) and top soloists.

Source: Wikipedia

Performances
#
1
October 4, 1967
Dům Umělců
Prague
Czech Republic
International Society for Contemporary Music Festival
International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM)
Václav Smetáček (conductor)
Prague Symphony Orchestra (Symfonický orchestr hlavního města Prahy FOK)
Perspectives, Op. 26
Works
#
Work Page
1
YSC66
Perspectives
26

3344-6341, Timpani, Celesta, 2 Harps, Percussion (4 Performers: Xylophone, Vibraphone, Keyboard Glockenspiel, Metallophone, Tubular Bells in Bb, G, Db and D, 3 Suspended Cymbals: large, medium and small, Suspended Cymbal, Cymbals, Snare Drum, Bass Snare Drum without Snares, Tambourine, Bass Drum, Triangle, Clapper, Gong, 3 Toms, 2 Congas, Woodblock, 5 Temple Blocks, Claves), Strings (14, 12, 10, 8, 8)

References
  1. Valia Christopoulou, Yorgos Sicilianos Catalogue of Works [Κατάλογος Έργων Γιώργου Σισιλιάνου] (Athens: Panas Music Papagrigoriou - Nakas, 2011) , 76
  2. International Society for Contemporary Music. “1967 Prague.” Accessed November 1, 2024. https://iscm.org/wnmd/1967-prague/.
  3. Anastasios Rupert Arthur Mavroudis, Sicilianos, The Greek Modernist: Performing Selected Chamber Works and Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 51 (Athens: Benaki Museum, 2020) , 271
  4. Yorgos Sicilianos, On Music [Για τη Μουσική], ed. Elly Yotopoulou-Sicilianou, foreword by Elly Yotopoulou-Sicilianou (Athens: Benaki Museum, Hellenic Music Centre, 2011) , 429
  5. Dimitris Agrafiotis, Theodore Antoniou, Tatsis Apostolidis, Valia Christopoulou, Giorgos Demertzis, Popi Eustratiadi, Byron Fidetzis, Gianni Ioannides, Apostolos Kostios, Giorgos Kouroupos, Katy Romanou, Yorgos Sicilianos, Michalis Stathopoulos, Nikos Synodinos, and Nikos B. Tsouchlos. Yorgos Sicilianos: In the Avant-Garde of Contemporary Music [Γιώργος Σισιλιανός - Ο συνθέτης στην πρωτοπορία της σύγχρονης μουσικής]. Edited by Valentini Tselika. (Athens: Benaki Museum, 2007) , 20, 54, 56, 204, 244
  6. Kostas Chardas, Giorgos Demertzis, Charis Dimaras, Nikos Maliaras, Giorgos Sakallieros, Nikos B. Tsouchlos, Markos Tsetsos, and Panos Vlagopoulos. Yorgos Sicilianos 1920-2005 - Anniversary Tribute [Γιωργος Σισιλιανος 1920-2005 Επετειακο αφιερωμα]. Edited by Stephania Merakos and Valia Vraka. (Athens: Friends of Music Association, 2016) , 112
  7. Wikipedia contributors. “Prague Symphony Orchestra.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed November 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prague_Symphony_Orchestra.