Czech National Philharmonic of Moravia

Led by Maestro Zsolt Hamar, The Czech Philharmonic is embarking on its first-ever tour of the United States, with performances scheduled in 20 cities and cultural centers throughout the country. A storied orchestra based in Prague, the Czech Philharmonic has a rich and acclaimed tradition of performing the works of Czech masters and music from Central Europe. Its early history includes an inaugural concert led by Antonin Dvorak, and Gustav Mahler conducting the world premiere of his Symphony No. 7.  Herbert Von Karajan, and Bela Bartok, are among many other legendary maestros affiliated with the Czech Philharmonic, including acclaimed conductor Simon Rattle, who was just recently announced as the orchestra's new Principal Guest Conductor. Notable soloists who have performed with the Czech Philharmonic include Daniil Trifonov, Hilary Hahn, Ray Chen, Emanuel Ax, Katia and Marielle Labeque, and Peter Serkin. 

Czech National Philharmonic of Moravia

Pavel Šnajdr

Pavel Šnajdr (born in 1975) studied composition and conducting at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno.

He was a member of the composers’ society Bezmocná hrstka (Helpless Handful) and his works have earned him two awards in the Generation competition. Keenly interested in performing contemporary music, he and the Brno-based ensemble Ars Incognita have premiered approximately 40 pieces by present-day composers, some of which have been recorded on CD. In 2001 the ensemble gave an independent concert at the Prague Spring Festival, and in 2005 within the Prague Premieres Festival at the Rudolfinum.

He has collaborated with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, North Bohemia Philharmonic Orchestra Teplice, and the Hradec Králové Philharmonic, and on two occasions conducted concerts at the Music Forum festival in Hradec Králové.

In 2011, Šnajdr established the BCO – Brno Contemporary Orchestra, focusing mainly on performing contemporary music. With the BCO he has already performed more than a hundred concerts as part of individual concert series, but also as part of international festivals such as Prague Spring, Janáček Brno, Exposition of New Music, Easter Festival of Spiritual Hubda, Moravian Autumn, Malta Arts Festival, Festival of Polish Music in Krakow.

They are often approached to record contemporary music, regularly collaborating with the American record label Parma Recordings, where they released their debut album with the new My Country after Bedřich Smetana.

Pavel Šnajdr