Czech National Symphony Orchestra

The Czech National Symphony Orchestra was founded in Prague in 1993 by trumpeter Jan Hasenöhrl and conductor Zdeněk Košler. Paul Freeman led it from 1996 to 2006, followed by Libor Pešek from 2007; Steven Mercurio assumed the conducting post in 2019. Its work combines symphonic concerts, recordings, film music and international touring. The orchestra became the resident ensemble of the Prague Proms, launched in 2005. Its recording projects include a complete Mahler symphony cycle with Pešek and collaborations with Ennio Morricone, including music for The Hateful Eight.