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 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 Čelansky, the first artistic director. The orchestra first became internationally known under the baton of Václav Talich, principal conductor. In 1941 the Czech Philharmonic made a controversial journey to Germany. The Czech Philharmonic´s first phonograph recording dates from 1929, when Václav Talich recorded Smetana´s My Country for His Master´s Voice.

Ever since the time of Ancerl’s leadership, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra has been faced with an extensive travel itinerary that has taken it to all the continents under such chief conductors as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jirí Belohlávek, Zdenek Mácal and Sir Charles Mackerras. The Czech Philharmonic undertook concert tours of Japan, United States, China, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy and many other countries all over the world. It also appears at many prestigious music festivals.