February 1946: Founding of the Pilsen Radio Orchestra

Less than a year after the establishment of the regional Pilsen Radio station, a 32-member orchestra was founded in February 1946. It was named the Pilsen Radio Orchestra. The ensemble is one of the predecessors of today’s Pilsen Philharmonic.

The orchestra made its first public appearance on 16 April 1946, performing works by Antonín Dvořák and Vítězslav Novák under the baton of its first chief conductor, Gabriel Vágner. His successor, Josef Hrnčíř, later expanded the ensemble.

The Pilsen Radio Orchestra collaborated with leading Czech instrumentalists, singers, and conductors. Among those who performed with it were harpsichordist and Pilsen native Zuzana Růžičková, pianist František Maxián, soprano Maria Tauberová, and tenor Beno Blahut. Conductors associated with the orchestra included Alois Klíma, Jiří Stárek, and František Stupka. The ensemble also appeared with international artists, such as violin virtuoso Igor Oistrakh and conductor Charles Mackerras.

Pilsen Philharmonic|Photo: Archive of the Pilsen Philharmonic

In 1993, Czech Radio cancelled the orchestra’s contract. Some of its members attempted to keep the ensemble alive, and it continued for a time as a limited liability company under the leadership of the young conductor Alexandr Apolín.

In 1996 it briefly operated within the municipal contributory organisation Esprit under the name Pilsen Radio Orchestra – Symphony Orchestra of the City of Pilsen and two years later the City of Pilsen gave it a new lease on life as the Pilsen Philharmonic.

Today, the Pilsen Philharmonic is an important fixture on the city’s cultural map. It presents regular subscription concerts, takes part in festivals, performs abroad, and collaborates on artistic projects with other cultural institutions. It is also the organiser of the Smetana Days festival. The director of the Pilsen Philharmonic is Lenka Kavalová, and its chief conductor is the Belgian Ronald Zollman.