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The Prague Chamber Orchestra boast a unique position not only among Czech ensembles, for similar formations are quite rare even worldwide as performing music without a conductor requires a special rapport of all orchestra members. Each relates not to the conductor's baton but to the ensemble as a whole, assuming the role of a chamber music player even though the instrumentation is much larger, stemming from the late 18th century peak Classicist period practice. The instrumentation thus comprises a multiplied string quartet (11 violins, 4 violas, 4 violoncellos, and 2 doublebasses) supplemented with a doubled wind sextet (flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, French horns, trumpets) and tympani.
For many soloists, playing with Prague Chamber Orchestra is a challenge to try – apart from playing their particular score – leading the orchestra. However, when a soloist is not given to this mode of playing, quite common in the past, they key role of the orchestra's coordinator passes to the concert master. This is why the players select him very carefully as he gives the whole ensemble's performance the definite expression. At present, the orchestra's concert masters are Antonín Hradil and Ondřej Kukal.
It was the initiative of the players as performers of solo parts that has been making the Prague Chamber Orchestra's history ever since its beginnings when first players of the individual instrument sections of the Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra got together to start a smaller ensemble in 1951. The appearance at the prestigious Prague Spting Festival a year later then rocketed the orchestra among the most-demanded Czech ensembles. In time the growing demand started to clash with the duties of the players as members of the radio ochestra, the situation logically led to the Prague Chamber Orchestra becoming independent in 1965.
The impressive half a century long performance of Prague Chamber Orchestra has left a distinguisthed mark on both the domestic and international concert scene. On the average, the ensemble plays some 80 concert annually. The Czech audience has a chance to subscribe to a series of 5 to 6 concerts held in the Rudolfinum's Dvořák Hall.
