Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek
„Only in fairy tales is the baton a kind of magic wand, capable of something supernatural. In reality, only a human being can endow it with magic, a person who knows in advance what he or she expects from the music and who can convey this knowledge to the players.“
Life
The life story of Jiří Bělohlávek in eight chapters: Childhood and student times – In Brno. First Engagement – Chief conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra – The Czech Philharmonic. The First Time – On the youthful wave of the Prague Philharmonia – Ambassador of Czech Music – The Czech Philharmonic: The Second Time – Epilogue
Work
Jiří Bělohlávek as an artistic chief and colleague. As an attentive performer of symphonies and operas. A conductor with an admirably wide repertoire. As an inspiring teacher and encouraging mentor.
The Present
Jiří Bělohlávek's legacy lives on today through the work of his students, who rank among the leading conductors of their generation, as well as through projects and awards that bear his name. His artistic and human values thus continue to shape the contemporary Czech and international music scene.
Articles
From the Czech Philharmonic Magazine: Jiří Bělohlávek in the Czech Philharmonic 2012–2017
In February 2018, the magazine of the Czech Philharmonic published an article looking back at Jiří Bělohlávek’s time with the Czech Philharmonic. We republish the article here by courtesy of the author Pavlína Landová.
From the Czech Philharmonic Magazine: Jiří Bělohlávek at the age of seventy
In February 2016, the magazine of the Czech Philharmonic published a portrait of Jiří Bělohlávek summing up the conductor’s career up to date. We republish the article here by courtesy of the author Lucie Maňourová.
Exhibition in the Rudolfinum: Jiří Bělohlávek 2012–2017
The exhibition was displayed at the Rudolfinum in 2018. Its online version is now available on this website.