The Janáček Philharmonic, based in Ostrava, is one of the leading symphony orchestras in the Czech Republic. The result of long-established traditions within this orchestra, its Bohemian sound
and progressive repertoire are held in the highest esteem by local and international audiences and critics. The orchestra’s excellence shines especially in its ability to flawlessly perform not only
Janáček but also an extensive repertoire comprising most Late Romantic to contemporary pieces including those by Suk, Mahler, Bartok, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Daniel Raiskin is the Chief
Conductor and Artistic Director Designate (starting in the 2026/27 season).

Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava has recently performed with prominent soloists such as cellists Gautier Capuçon and Steven Isserlis, violinists Lisa Batiashvili and Vadim Gluzman, singers Elīna Garanča and Jonas Kaufmann, pianists Sergey Babayan, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Boris Giltburg and Simon Trpčeski, and many others. Federico Colli is the Artist in Residence of the 2024/25 season. Such conductors as Andrey Boreyko, Lawrence Foster and Domingo Hindoyan work in Ostrava regularly. Recent guest conductors also include Cristian Măcelaru, Petr Popelka, Jakub Hrůša and the former music director Vassily Sinaisky.

The orchestra’s long musical tradition dates back to the first half of the 20th century, when Paul Hindemith, Sergei Prokofiev and Igor Stravinsky performed with the orchestra’s predecessor. Officially established in 1954, it soon developed into a fast-rising Czech ensemble, going on its first international tour only five years after its foundation. Many world-renowned conductors and soloists have made an artistic contribution to the orchestra since then, including Sir Charles Mackerras, Karel Ančerl, Mariss Jansons, Sviatoslav Richter and
Rudolf Firkušný, to name just a few. Studio recordings from Ostrava for labels such as Linn Records, Supraphon and CPO has been praised by critics and audiences alike, having won such awards as BBC Music Magazine Award and Diapason d’Or.

Within the last five years the orchestra has toured extensively within Europe, as well as in Japan, China and South Korea. The most prominent venues where the Janáček Philharmonic has performed recently include the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Vienna Musikverein and the Philharmonie in Berlin. A new concert hall, designed by the acclaimed architect Steven Holl, is currently under construction. Projected by Nagata Acoustics, the building and its acoustics, perfect for symphonic concerts, will provide the perfect start of a new era for this orchestra, which, after more than 65 years, will finally have a venue it can call home. Until then, the orchestra is located in an interim venue “Vesmír”.