Belohlavek to become chief conductor of BBC Symphony Orchestra

Jiri Belohlavek will replace Leonard Sladkin as chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He will take up the position in mid 2006. Jiri Belohlavek is a leading figure among Czech conductors. His career has led from a regular engagement with the Brno State Philharmonic, via the position of chief conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra and long years of collaboration with the Czech Philharmonic. He has made regular appearances as guest conductor with outstanding symphonic ensembles all over the world, such as the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony, the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony.