Czech National Symphony Orchestra

The Czech National Symphony Orchestra (CNSO) was established in 1993 by trumpet player Jan Hasenöhrl along with the legendary conductor Zdeněk Košler. In 1996, the American Paul Freeman took over as Chief Conductor, and remained in this position for an amazing ten years.

Performing and continuously growing for 26 years, the CNSO has earned an enviable reputation among both Czech and Europe’s top symphonic ensembles. Renowned for its versatility, the orchestra annually presents a broad program ranging from classical music concerts to contemporary genres, film scores, jazz and musicals.

Since 2005 the Czech National Symphony Orchestra has also organized the summer Prague Proms Festival, which with its impressive array of prominent international performers, appeals to a diverse audience year in year out.

The orchestra has worked with its principal conductor Libor Pešek since 2007 – a period which could be described as exceptional both in terms of its subscription series as well as five hugely successful tours around Great Britain. These concerts helped earn the CNSO an enviable reputation with British audiences, and has seen them return to the island on a regular basis.