The Jiří Bělohlávek Prize

The prize, which honours the memory of the conductor Jiří Bělohlávek, is awarded each year to exceptionally talented young Czech musicians under the age of thirty-five. It highlights their artistic achievements and their contribution to spreading the tradition of Czech music both at home and abroad.

The Jiří Bělohlávek Prize was established in 2019 at the initiative of the Czech Philharmonic, together with other institutions and figures from the music world. The prize is awarded annually to young Czech artists under the age of thirty-five who have achieved exceptional success in their field and who nurture the tradition of Czech music both at home and abroad.

The laureate receives a financial award of CZK 50,000 and an original art print. Since 2025, the prize has been awarded by the Czech Philharmonic Foundation.

Laureates

The first laureate, in 2019, was horn player Kateřina Javůrková. In the years that followed, the prize went to conductor Robert Kružík (2020), violinist and Czech Philharmonic concertmaster Jan Mráček (2021), tenor Petr Nekoranec (2022), cellist Vilém Vlček (2023), clarinetist Anna Paulová (2024), and pianist Marek Kozák (2025).

The Czech Philharmonic's annual open-air concert is also dedicated to the memory of the renowned conductor — and it is at this concert that the prize is ceremonially presented.

The prize includes an original art print by the artist Jiří Voves.

When we were thinking about the best way to remember Jiří Bělohlávek, the open-air concert was the clear winner — for its relaxed atmosphere and its association with young soloists whom Jiří Bělohlávek supported throughout his life. And so, starting this year, we are dedicating every open-air concert to the memory of Jiří Bělohlávek, and it will now also be linked to a prize bearing his name.

— David Mareček / Czech Philharmonic Magazine, 2019 [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ]

Along his journey, my husband met kind souls who supported him at the start of his career, and he wanted to pass on that kindness. Working with young people always delighted and fulfilled him. Anyone who teaches will tell you that their students inspire them — that the teacher too learns from the student and shares their energy.

— Anna Fejérová / Czech Philharmonic Magazine, 2019 [ 4 ] [ 5 ]

It's wonderful that what Jiří Bělohlávek began lives on, that young musicians are still being supported. There's that helping hand that everyone needs at a certain moment. That, to me, is the immense legacy of Jiří Bělohlávek.

— Robert Kružík / Czech Philharmonic Magazine, 2021 [ 6 ] [ 7 ]

Mr. Bělohlávek holds a firm place in my heart as a fatherly figure — in the best sense of the word. From the very first moment I stepped onto the stage with the Czech Philharmonic as a young talent, I felt the warmth of family atmosphere. I remember our last performance together, in St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, very well. It was still cold, and I had come to the rehearsal only lightly dressed. Mr. Bělohlávek — by then gravely ill and without his hair — took off his only scarf, wrapped it around my neck, and said: 'You must take care of that gift of yours.'

— Petr Nekoranec / Opera PLUS [ 8 ] [ 9 ]

Presentation of the 2019 prize. From the left: horn player Kateřina Javůrková; Anna Fejérová, wife of Jiří Bělohlávek; and David Mareček, General Director of the Czech Philharmonic.

Anna Fejérová presents the 2020 prize to conductor Robert Kružík | Photo: Petra Hajská

Tenor Petr Nekoranec, laureate of the 2022 prize, and Anna Fejérová | Photo: Petra Hajská

Violinist Jan Mráček, laureate of the 2021 prize | Photo: Petra Hajská

Clarinetist Anna Paulová, laureate of the 2024 Jiří Bělohlávek Prize | Photo: Petra Hajská

Cellist Vilém Vlček, laureate of the 2023 prize, and Anna Fejérová | Photo: Petra Hajská

The 2025 Jiří Bělohlávek Prize was awarded to pianist Marek Kozák. The prize was accepted on his behalf by his fiancée, bassoonist Denisa Beňovská.