MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Dvorak: Complete Piano Works

In comparison with his symphonies and chamber works, Dvorák's piano oeuvre has been paid relatively scant attention. The composer himself was not a virtuoso and by means of the piano he frequently gauged the bearing capacity of his musical ideas, instrumenting a number of his originally piano compositions shortly after completing them. Accordingly, his piano pieces lack virtuoso flamboyance and are more than anything else a reflection of his inner life. It concerns delicate personal lyricism, the capturing of momentary ideas which are, however, cultivated with the refinement of a musical genius.

This delicacy and inner wealth fully come to the fore at the hands of Radoslav Kvapil, a pianist renowned as an eminent connoisseur and promoter of Czech piano music. In addition to the complete piano works of Dvorák and Janácek, his discography includes the breakthrough recording of J. V. H. Voríšek's works. Radoslav Kvapil has had the opportunity to represent Czech music on many prestigious concert stages worldwide, including the Royal Albert Hall, Barbican and Carnegie Recital Hall.