This ensemble was founded in 1984 by Jan Simon and it continues the started tradition of the world-wide known ensemble called PRO ARTE ANTIQUA, which, during its existence (1933-1974), performed many concerts at home and abroad and completed a number of recordings and radio productions. The continuation of both ensembles is not only abstract: Jan Simon, St. performed as a member of the former group, playing violin da gamba since 1944.

PRO ARTE ANTIQUA PRAGUE, at the time of its foundation, entered into quite a different situation. "The parent ensemble" was, at its time, the pioneer during discovering and performing the music, which the historians knew only according to the names and dusted museum materials. The new ensemble, however, was born at the time, when the effort for authentic interpretation of early music advance quantitatively and qualitatively, when it became an extensive movement in England and in the German speaking countries, having full support in music science, school education, publishing and in musical instrument making as well.

PRO ARTE ANTIQUA PRAGUE is comprised of the leading members of the Czech Philharmonic lead by the concert master Bohumil Kotmel, together with renowned Czech soloists, who keep trying, by the continuous study of archive materials, to find and connect as many details of actual information as possible, which represent the key to the understanding of the spiritual heritage of the past.

The foundation of the repertoire of PRO ARTE ANTIQUA PRAGUE is Czech and world renaissance and baroque music, but also other areas of activities for which this ensemble is instrumentally equipped, is the interpretation of works from the never-ending wealth of classicism. In the repertoire are represented the solo works (even the harpsichord and organ), vocal and various configurations from duets to the more extensive representation. The specialty of this ensemble is a unique use of the original collection of old violas da braccio in consort with violas da gamba. Besides this, it uses all other instruments (violins, violas and violoncellos) in baroque or classicist form.

PRO ARTE ANTIQUA PRAGUE tries to maintain all attributes of authenticity by utilizing period music materials, instruments, strings and gut strings, old tone even the method of completion of parts by decorations. Its goal is to interpret the music such as it was performed by the best professionals of its period: with an entire range of affects and variation of skill.

The ensemble has performed many successful concerts on renowned stages and festivals both at home and abroad (Japan, Europe), as well as working with television and radio. It has recorded over 20 CDs for the Czech and foreign companies that are highly regarded by audiences and critics alike.

1. Henry Purcell Theatre Music - Suites	Arta Records	F1 0043-2
2. German Dance Music of the 17th and 18 th Centures (Posch, Peuerl, Schein, Hammerschmidt, Muffat, Fischer)	Milan Vlcek Music Productions	SY 0004 2 131
3. Georg Phillipp Telemann (Concertos, suites)	Arta Records	F1 0058-2
4. Pavel Josef Vejvanovsky Sonatas	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00255
5. Czech Baroque Music J.A. Planicky, F.I.A. Tuma	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00257
6. Valerius Otto Praha Dances	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00254
7. Jan Dismas Zelenka (2 CD)	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00274
8. Johann Pachelbell Chamber Music Works	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00308
9. Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 5 & No. 8 (string Quintet version)	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00321
10. Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 7 & Ouverturs	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00338
11. Eine kleine Nachtmusik W. A. Mozart, Haydn, Boccherini, Myslivecek	Arta Records	F1 0074-2
12. Josef Myslivecek String Quintets	Arta Records	F1 0071-2
13. Ludwig van Beethoven String Quintets	Pony Canyon	PCCL-00405
14. Pavel Vranicky String Quartets	Arta Records	F1 0078-2
15. Clarinet Music Vaclav Pichl, W.A.Mozart	Arta Records	F1 0079-2
16. Best Recordings	Pony Canynon	PCCL-00339
17. Johann Heinrich Schmelzer	Pony Canynon	PCCL-
18. Issac Posch, Paul Peuerl O'Musica	Pony Canynon	PCCL-
19. Franz Schubert Octet F dur op 166 (string Quintet version), Quartet Es dur	Pony Canynon	PCCL-
20. Jan Vaclav Stamitz Grand trios	Arta Records	F1 0083-2
21. Frantisek I.A.Tuma Trio sonatas	Pony Canynon	PCCL-

PRO ARTE ANTIQUA PRAHA:

• BOHUMIL KOTMEL - violin - Josephus Laske 1767 Prag - treble viol - German master cca 1820
• JAN SIMON - violin - French master cca 1770 - soprano viol - German master cca 1760
• JAROMR PAVICEK - viola - Georg Leeb, Pressburg 1790 - alto viol - Lorenzo Carcassi in Borgio San Fridiano 1758
• JAROSLAV PONDELICEK - viola - Joseph Fux Orfonburg 1808
• PETR HEJNY - violoncello - Pellegrino Zanetto Bresciae 1581 - tenor viola da gamba - Langhammer 1975 Markneukirchen - copy of German master 17th cent.
• JOSEF SPACEK - violoncello - Josephus Laske 1788 Prag - bassviola da gamba - copy of English master - late 17th cent.
• ONDREJ BALCAR - double bass - anonymus 18th cent.
• ALES BARTA - cembalo, organ