Karel Šejna (1 November 1896, Zálezly – 17 December 1982, Prague) Karel Šejna was a Czech double bassist and conductor, the principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in 1950. Šejna's musical studies were at the Prague Conservatory under Professor Černý (double-bass, 1914–20) and later with K B Jirák (composition). As a young man he gave several concerts in Egypt, and on his return to Czechoslovakia in 1921 he was appointed the first double-bassist of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, and shortly after (on 25 July 1922) also conducted the orchestra at a concert in Žofín Palace in Prague. Some compositions including a song-cycle and a string quartet date from this time. He began to conduct on recommendation of the principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic of that time, Václav Talich. Talich gradually entrusted him with more difficult tasks, and later recommended him to the post of conductor of the Czechoslovak Railway Workers Symphony Orchestra (1925–1936). From 1926 to 1938 Šejna worked also as choirmaster of the Hlahol Choir in Vinohrady, travelling with them to Yugoslavia and Vienna. In 1938 he was hired as the conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. He conducted hundreds of concerts, notably romantic repertoire, but also the music of 20th century. (He performed the Prague premiere of Janáček's Glagolitic Mass). In 1937-38 Šejna was engaged as guest conductor of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. After the emigration of Rafael Kubelík, the post-war chief of the orchestra, Šejna was for a short time appointed as the principal conductor of the Czech Phiharmonic, touring with the orchestra to East and West Germany and to the UK. He was successful interpreter of the music of Hector Berlioz, César Franck, Richard Strauss and especially of Gustav Mahler. His last concert with the Czech Philharmonic took place on 11 February 1972, with Mahler's Symphony No. 4. Šejna made more than 70 recordings, including Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and Mahler's 4th symphony. He was the first conductor to have recorded most of the works of Bedřich Smetana. He also recorded complete symphonies of Zdeněk Fibich and part of the work of Antonín Dvořák. His 1959 recording of Dvořák's Slavonic Dances was awarded Cithare d´argent - Grand Prix de l´Association Française in Paris 1977.
The Česká filharmonie (Czech Philharmonic) is a symphony orchestra based in Prague and is the best-known and most respected orchestra in the Czech Republic. The name "Czech Philharmonic Orchestra" appeared for the first time in 1894, as the title of the orchestra of the Prague National Theatre. It played its first concert under its current name on January 4, 1896 when Antonín Dvořák conducted his own compositions, but it did not become fully independent from the opera until 1901. The first representative concert took place on October 15, 1901 conducted by Ludvík Čelanský, the first artistic director of the orchestra. In 1908, Gustav Mahler led the orchestra in the world premiere of his Symphony No. 7. The orchestra first became internationally known under the baton of Václav Talich, who was principal conductor from 1919 to 1931, and again from 1933 to 1941. In 1941 Talich together with Czech Philharmonic made a controversial journey to Germany, where they performed the cycle of symphonic poems My Country by Bedřich Smetana. The concert was enforced by the German offices. Subsequent chief conductors included Rafael Kubelík (1942–1948), Karel Ančerl (1950–1968), Václav Neumann (1968–1989), Jiri Belohlavek (1990–1992), Gerd Albrecht (1993–1996), Vladimir Ashkenazy (1996–2003), and Zdeněk Mácal (2003–2007). In February 2008, the orchestra announced the appointment of Eliahu Inbal as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2009-2010 season. In December 2010 it was announced that Jiří Bělohlávek would take up the post again in 2012. Principal guest conductors of the orchestra have included Sir Charles Mackerras, a noted Czech music specialist, and currently Manfred Honeck. The Czech Philharmonic's first phonograph recording dates from 1929, when Václav Talich recorded the Smetana´s My Country for His Master's Voice. **********  
Antonín Dvorák Slavonic Rhapsody No.1 in D major, Op.45 Slavonic Rhapsody No.2 in G minor, Op.45 Slavonic Rhapsody No.3 in A flat major, Op.45 27-30.05 & 1.06.1953
Symphony no 5 in F major, Op. 76 21-23.01.1952
The cunning peasant, Op. 37: Overture 1940's (?) Bedrich Smetana Festive Overture in D major, Op. 4 22.12.1955 Triumphal Symphony in E major, Op. 6 19-22.09.1966 Frantisek Jan Skroup The Tinker: Overture 8.11.1951
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Karel Šejna Recorded in Dvorak Hall, Rudolfinum, Prague **********
Все записи из собственной коллекции. | 
