Katalog koncertní sezóny 2013 - 2014 SČF Teplice

The North Czech Philharmonic is based in the town of Teplice, Czech Republic in the very heart of Europe. The foundation charter and official ratification of the North Czech Philharmonic dating back to the year 1838 makes this one of the oldest orchestras in the Europe. The historical spa town of Teplice known at the time as the „Little Paris“ of Europe was the destination during the 18th and early 19th centuries for many notable figures (noblemen, aristocrats and artists) seeking the natural health benefits provided by the thermal mineral spring waters of the town. Teplice is famous, for instance, for hosting the first meeting between Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Wolfgang Goethe in 1812.

From the end of the 19th century the North Czech Philharmonic, a more modestly-sized orchestra, nevertheless, performed during the summer months weekly outdoor ‚colonnade‘ concerts and during the winter months several cycles of symphonic concerts. The orchestra entertained audiences with the most important personalities of the time, such as conductors: Felix von Weingartner, Richard Strauss, Siegfried Wagner, Alexander Zemlinsky; pianists, Ferruccio Busoni, Emil Sauer, Ernö Dohnányi, Frederic Lamond; violinists, Pablo de Sarasate, Eugene Ysaye, Jan Kubelík, Bronislav Huberman, Fritz Kreisler; cellists, David Popper, Hugo Becker; and singers, Lili Lehmann, Ernestine Heineke-Schumann as well as many others.

From 1948 there was a big succession of chief conductors, most notábly: Martin Turnovský, Libor Pešek and Vladimír Válek, Tomáš Koutník and others. From July 1997 the young Canadian conductor Charles Olivieri-Munroe, who previously had served as associate conductor with the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, took up the position of the chief conductor. Under his charismatic artistic leadership the period from 1997 to the present has represented a golden era for the orchestra. The North Czech Philharmonic has seen unprecedented artistic growth as well as a stable financial footing provided by the effective stewardship provided by its managing director, Mr. Roman Dietz. Thanks to this unprecedented period of blossoming development the orchestra has enjoyed record audience attendance as never before in its past, increased invitations to perform abroad as well as recording projects for radio and commercial purposes.

The North Czech Philharmonic regularly performs in prestigious domestic music festivals like the Prague Spring International Festival, the Antonín Dvořák Festival, the Beethoven Music Festival, the Český Krumlov Festival, the Gustav Mahler Festival, the Leoš Janáček Festival and others. The orchestra also tours each year outside the Czech Republic, performing in countries throughout Europe, including: Germany, Italy, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Monaco, France, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, and Malta. Foreign critics often point out the mostly young make up of the orchestra, and its energetic, emotional and soulful ensemble playing. At home in Teplice the North Czech Philharmonic performs alongside the most famous contemporary musicians, such as Maxim Vengerov, Misha Maisky, Sharon Kamm, Shlomo Mintz and others. At the same time the orchestra devotes many concerts to younger audiences in the form of educational concerts.

Since 1964 the North Czech Philharmonic is also responsible for running the Ludwig van Beethoven Music Festival in recognition of the composer who not only visited this urban home of the orchestra but was also inspired by the town and its surroundings to write several of his most famous compositions.

From 2013 Alfonso Scarano (Italy) is appointed to the position of the Chief conductor of the North Czech Philharmonic Teplice.