catalogue

The Prague Philharmonia was established in 1994 to join musicians of the young generation. Its founder and chief conductor, Jiří Bělohlávek, has been successful in forging the young musicians into an ensemble with unusually coherent sections, where technical perfection and the spontaneous musicality of the individual players is complemented by enormous vitality and, at the same time, an indispensable dose of artistic humility and responsibility. The ensemble interprets scores ranging from works for small string and wind ensembles to full symphony orchestra.

Tomáš Hanus (1970) studied both violin and conducting at the Brno Conservatory. He also attended courses at the Aspen Music School in the USA. Later, he continued in the conducting class of Professor Jiří Bělohlávek at the Janáček Academy of Music and Drama in Brno. Tomáš Hanus has worked with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra in Zlín, founded and conducted the New Czech Chamber Orchestra, and since 1994 has been the conductor of the Prague Philharmonia. Apart from regular rehearsals, tours (Japan, Germany, Austria, France, Jordan) and concerts with the Prague Philharmonia, Tomáš Hanus has also guest conducted numerous Czech, Slovak and Polish orchestras and appeared in local and international festivals.

Strahov Monastery belongs among the most valuable sights in Prague. Since it was established in 1143, it has always been a centre of knowledge, art and service to God and people. The picturesque, richly decorated Summer Refectory was a perfect setting for the jewels of Baroque orchestral music.