Conductor Vladimír Válek dies at 89

Vladimír Válek, long-time conductor of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra (PRSO), has died at the age of 89. Czech Radio confirmed the news on Sunday.

Mr. Válek led the PRSO from 1985 to 2011 and also conducted the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Over his career, he worked with top ensembles, including the Czech Philharmonic and Japan’s Osaka Symphony Orchestra. He was also a respected teacher.

In 2010, he received the Medal of Merit from President Václav Klaus. Among many honors, he earned the Classic Prague Awards for Lifetime Achievement in 2021.

Born in 1935 in Nový Jičín, he studied trombone, viola, and conducting before founding the Dvořák Chamber Orchestra in 1970.