Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra enters its landmark 100th season (2026/2027) as one of the Czech Republic's leading artistic institutions, actively shaping contemporary musical life both at home and internationally. Following the successful tenure of Chief Conductor Petr Popelka, the orchestra is now led by German-Japanese conductor Elias Grandy, who has previously collaborated with the orchestra.
Throughout the 2026/2027 season, the orchestra will perform under the baton of distinguished Czech and international guest conductors, including Petr Popelka, Jakub Hrůša, Václav Luks, Tomáš Netopil, Cornelius Meister, Tomáš Hanus, Michał Nesterowicz, Petr Altrichter, Wayne Marshall, Robert Jindra, Robert Kružík, Lukáš Vasilek, Ana Maria Patino Osorio, and Jan Kučera.
The anniversary season will feature internationally acclaimed soloists, including cellist Gautier Capuçon, violinist Jan Mráček, and horn player Radek Baborák. The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra will also welcome a distinguished line-up of pianists, including Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Lukáš Vondráček, Jan Bartoš, Karel Košárek, Martin Kasík, and Marek Kozák.
The season will also showcase an outstanding roster of Czech and international vocal artists, including sopranos Kateřina Kněžíková, Elena Tsallagova, Simona Šaturová, Ester Pavlů, and Paula Murrihy. Male vocal soloists will include Peter Kellner, Mathew Newlin, Pavol Breslik, Jan Martiník, Benjamin Bruns, and Kostas Smoriginas. Among the season's special projects will be a collaborative concert with Monkey Business, as well as the return of the unique A Thousand Voices project, bringing together dozens of amateur choirs for a spectacular performance at Municipal House.
A defining element of the orchestra's artistic profile is its commitment to commissioning and premiering new music. During its centenary season, the orchestra will present seven new compositions, most of them commissioned by the orchestra itself, with their world premieres taking place in Prague throughout the season. New works by Miroslav Srnka, Petr Wajsar, Jana Vöröšová, Jiří Gemrot, Jan Kučera, Darja Kukal Moiseeva, and Jaroslav Pelikán will receive their first performances.
The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra will also continue its extensive recording activities. Current recording projects include works by Otakar Ostrčil, as well as recordings with leading Czech tenor Pavel Černoch. In May 2026, a limited-edition vinyl release of the orchestra's acclaimed recording of Smetana's Má vlast was issued to mark the centenary celebrations.
During the 2026/2027 season, the orchestra will appear at all of the Czech Republic's major music festivals, including the international festivals Prague Spring, Dvořák Prague International Music Festival, Smetana's Litomyšl, Český Krumlov International Music Festival, and the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival. In addition to its performances across the Czech Republic, the orchestra will embark on a concert tour of Japan and South Korea with Chief Conductor Elias Grandy.
The orchestra's home venues remain Prague's principal concert halls, including Dvořák Hall at the Rudolfinum, Smetana Hall at the Municipal House, Bethlehem Chapel, and Studio 1 of Czech Radio.
