Jiří Bělohlávek was a renowned Czech conductor, celebrated for his profound interpretations of Czech classical music as well as his extensive work within the international classical music scene. Born on February 24, 1946, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Bělohlávek's musical journey began at a young age, leading him to study conducting at the Prague Conservatory and the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. His profound understanding and authentic renditions of works by Czech composers such as Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, and Bedřich Smetana elevated him to prominence, both nationally and globally.

Throughout his illustrious career, Bělohlávek held prestigious positions with several leading orchestras. Notably, he was the chief conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, with which he had a longstanding and deeply connected tenure, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, where he significantly contributed to the Proms. His recording legacy includes critical acclaim for his interpretations of Czech classical works, such as Dvořák's "Requiem, Biblical Songs, Te Deum," Smetana's "Má Vlast," and Janáček's "Glagolitic Mass; Taras Bulba; Sinfonietta; The Fiddler’s Child," among others. Bělohlávek was known for his meticulous attention to detail, sensitivity to the score, and the emotional depth of his performances, making him a revered figure in the world of classical music. Sadly, the music world mourned his passing on May 31, 2017, but his legacy lives on through his extensive discography and the many musicians he inspired and mentored during his lifetime.

Genres

Orchestral Performance

Related Artists

Rafael Kubelík

Karel Ančerl

Sir Simon Rattle

Leonard Bernstein

Zubin Mehta

Vladimir Ashkenazy

Sir Colin Davis

George Szell

Sir Charles Mackerras

Semyon Bychkov

Mariss Jansons

Paavo Järvi

Latest Release

Týden nové tvorby 1981

Jiří Bělohlávek•

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Single - Released November 17, 2023