Belohlávek, Jirí

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Bělohlávek, Jiří

Bělohlávek, Jiří, Czech conductor; b. Prague, Feb. 24, 1946. He studied piano with his father, and also took cello lessons at the Prague Cons, and attended Celibidache’s master classes in conducting. In 1970 he won first prize in the Czech national competition for young conductors. From 1970 to 1972 he was asst. conductor of the Czech Phil, in Prague. He then was conductor of the Brno State Phil. (1972–77), with which he toured the U.S. In 1977 he was appointed chief conductor of the Prague Sym. Orch., a position he held until 1985. He appeared widely in Europe and abroad as a guest conductor; frequently was conductor with the Czech Phil., serving as its chief conductor from 1990 to 1992. From 1995 he was conductor of the newly founded Prague Chamber Phil.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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