Three re-discovered piano concertos on a new recording by Marek Kozák and PRSO
The recording of Forgotten Czech Piano Concertos is a result of many years of research and exploration on the part of pianist Marek Kozák, who is interested in lesser-known Czech piano pieces.
Karel Kovařovic (1862–1920) studied with Zdeněk Fibich and later became famous as conductor and head of the opera company of the National Theatre in Prague. His 1887 Piano Concerto in F minor, Op. 6 is very romantic and its piano part is virtuosic. Vítězslava Kaprálová (1915–1940) was one of the most talented Czech female composers and died at a very young age. Her 1935 Piano Concerto in D minor, Op. 7 was her graduation work, whose premiere she conducted. Its instrumentation is rich and it shows influences of her teacher, Bohuslav Martinů. Pavel Bořkovec (1894–1972) studied with Josef Foerster and Josef Suk and later became an important teacher and composer. His 1949 Piano Concerto No. 2 is a mature work reflecting an original musical language and sense of form.