Jiří Bělohlávek

Jiri Belohlavek CBE ( born February 24, 1946 in Prague) is a Czech conductor.

Life

Belohlavek studied with Sergiu Celibidache. From 1972-78, he headed the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra and the Prague Symphony Orchestra from 1977-89. In the years 1990-92 he was the successor of Václav Neumann Chief Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1994 he founded the Philharmonia Orchestra Prague ( Pražská komorní filharmonie ), where he remained connected after his departure in 2005 as Conductor Laureate. 2003/ 04 he was also chief conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava. From 2006 to 2012 he led the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, whose principal guest conductor, he was from 1995 to 2000. In the years 2007, 2010 and 2012, he conducted the orchestra at the traditional event The last night of the proms in London, the respective final concert of the season of the popular Proms.

For his services Jiri Belohlavek was awarded the Order of the British Empire ( Commander, CBE) in 2012.

Recordings ( small selection )

• Concerto for orchestra, ( Bartók, Béla ), Munich: Koch International, 1997
• Brahms, Johannes, Munich: Koka Media, 1997
• Symphony no 3 for orchestra, chorus and narrator of Krcek, Jaroslav, Munich: Koch International, 1996
• Serenades, Munich: Koch International, 1996
• Svatební košile by Dvořák, Munich: Koch International, 1996
• Concerto for piano and orchestra in G minor, Op 33, by Dvořák, Munich: Koch International, 1996
• Czech Philharmonic centenary homage, Munich: Koch International,
• Má vlast ( My home country) by Smetana, Munich: Koch International, 1996