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Tom Service meets Jiri Belohlavek, chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic. Belohlavek was first appointed in that role in 1990, but after the Velvet Revolution the orchestra decided to look overseas for a conductor and Belohlavek left. He formed the Prague Philharmonia and then acted as chief conductor of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra from 2012 until 2015. Then came his return to the Czech Philharmonic. Belohlavek talks to Tom about his relationship with the Czech Philharmonic now and his future plans with the orchestra. He also talks about setting up the Prague Philharmonia, which he feels gave him renewed strength and opportunities.

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To find out more about the turbulent history, unique sound and future plans of the Czech Philharmonic, Rob Cameron, the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s Prague correspondent, attended rehearsals at the Municipal Hall for the orchestra’s first concert in this year’s Prague Spring International Festival where they were playing Mahler’s Third Symphony. There he spoke to the orchestra’s General Manager, Robert Hanc, the current leader Josef Spacek, percussionist Daniel Mikolasek and the journalist Frank Kuznik.

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David Cooper’s new book traces Bela Bartok’s international career as ardent ethno-musicologist and composer, teacher and pianist, while discussing most of his works in detail. It also explores how Europe’s political and cultural tumult affected Bartok’s work, travel and reluctant emigration to the safety of America in his final years. Tom talks to the author and reviews the book with the writer and translator Kenneth Chalmers.

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