100 Years with Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra: The story of an orchestra that changed Czech Radio
The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra is celebrating 100 years. In this five-part series, we follow its journey from a modest ensemble to an orchestra that helped shape Czech musical history.
The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra (SOČR) is one of the oldest and most prominent orchestras in the Czech Republic. Founded on October 1, 1926 as the Radiojournal Orchestra, its history is deeply intertwined with the dawn and evolution of broadcasting in Czechoslovakia.
It was founded at a time when radio was an entirely new medium and working with the technology available often resembled an adventure rather than a professional operation. Microphones were turned toward walls to "capture sound better," and musicians performed sight-reading every day, often without rehearsals. Yet it was precisely this spirit of improvisation that gave rise to an orchestra that would become one of the pillars of Czech musical culture.
From modest beginnings to nation-wide acclaim
At a time when radio was still a new medium, broadcasters believed in something that remains true to this day: nothing can quite match the immediacy of live music. To bring that experience directly into people's homes, they set out to create an orchestra that would perform in real time for listeners across the country.
The early years were far from easy. A small chamber ensemble was expected to provide up to two hours of live music every day, often performing unfamiliar pieces with little or no rehearsal. The musicians coped remarkably well with the demanding workload, but expectations were rising. As renowned soloists and chamber ensembles increasingly appeared on air, the limitations of the radio orchestra became apparent. Program makers wanted to tackle more ambitious repertoire, and audiences were eager for higher artistic standards.
Radiojournal soon faced a crucial decision: continue with a modest ensemble focused on lighter music or invest in a full symphony orchestra capable of performing the great works of the classical repertoire. It chose the more ambitious path.
The decision paid off. The orchestra's first public concert, held in 1926, was one of Prague's cultural highlights of the year. Critics were impressed by the speed with which the young ensemble had matured, and the celebrated conductor Oskar Nedbal praised the orchestra for its "talented artistic material"—a sign of the institution it would eventually become.
September centenary concert to feature the music that stood at the orchestra’s birth
One of the highlights of this year's centenary celebrations will be a special opening concert on September 24, commemorating this historic event. The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform the same program that the audience heard in 1926.
- Bedřich Smetana – The Bartered Bride, Overture
- Ludwig van Beethoven – Romance for Violin and Orchestra Nos. 1 and 2
- Antonín Dvořák – Legends Nos. 6, 2, 10 and 3
- Zdeněk Fibich – Symphony No. 2
For international audiences, this will be a unique opportunity to hear a Czech orchestra perform a program that brings together three major figures of Czech music—Smetana, Dvořák and Fibich.
