The Czech National Symphony Orchestra (ČNSO or CNSO) ( cs, Český národní symfonický orchestr) is a Czech symphony orchestra based in Prague. The orchestra principally gives concerts at the Smetana Hall, Municipal House (''Smetanova síň Obecního domu''). The CNSO also performs at the Rudolfinum.

History

In 1993, trumpet player Jan Hasenöhrl and Zdeněk Košler formed the CNSO, with Košler as the orchestra's first chief conductor. Košler held the post until 1996. From 1996 to 2007, the American conductor Paul Freeman was chief conductor of the CNSO. Since 2007,

Libor Pešek Libor Pešek (22 June 1933 – 23 October 2022) was a Czech conductor. He was among the most famous conductors of his time, working regularly across Europe as chief conductor of orchestras in Prague, but also for ten years with the Royal Liver ...

is the orchestra's chief conductor. He is scheduled to stand down from the post after the 2018–2019 season. In March 2019, the CNSO announced the appointment of Steven Mercurio as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season. In popular music collaborations, the orchestra played on the

Ulf Lundell Ulf Gerhard Lundell (born 20 November 1949) is a Swedish writer, poet, songwriter, composer, musician and artist. He made his debut in 1975 with the LP '' Vargmåne'' and was immediately hailed as "Sweden's Bob Dylan". In 1976 his first novel, t ...

album ''På andra sidan drömmarna'' in 1996.

Lotta Engberg Anna Charlotte "Lotta" Engberg (born Pedersen; 5 March 1963) is a Swedish singer. She represented Sweden in Eurovision Song Contest 1987 with "Boogaloo" after winning Melodifestivalen 1987. She also tried many times in Melodifestivalen in 1984 ...

recorded ''Nära livets mening'' together with the orchestra in 2003, and the song was included on the 2005 album '' Kvinna & man''.Dansbandsbloggen 8 March 2005 - ''Påkostat och välgjort''
On 20 August 2003, in a Symphonic Game Music Concert in Leipzig, Germany, the orchestra became the first ensemble to perform music written for video games live outside Japan. The CNSO has collaborated with Ennio Morricone on several projects, including the soundtrack to Giuseppe Tornatore's ''

The Best Offer ''The Best Offer'' ( it, La migliore offerta – entitled ''Deception'' in the UK) is a 2013 English-language Italian psychological thriller film written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The film stars Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks ...

'' (2003). In 2015, the CNSO toured with the composer during his 60th anniversary tour. In July 2015, Morricone conducted the orchestra for recording sessions of his film score to Quentin Tarantino's ''

The Hateful Eight ''The Hateful Eight'' (sometimes marketed as ''The H8ful Eight'' or ''The Hateful 8'') is a 2015 American Western mystery thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leig ...

''.

Chief conductors

* Zdeněk Košler (1993–1996) * Paul Freeman (1996–2007) *

(2007–2019) * Steven Mercurio (2019–present)

References

External links

*
Czech National Symphony Orchestra

CNSO studios
{{Authority control 1993 establishments in the Czech Republic Musical groups established in 1993 Czech orchestras National orchestras Music in Prague Organizations based in Prague Cedille Records artists