Album
Tomáš Vrána, Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, Gábor Káli
Bartók: Complete Piano Concertos
Catalogue Number: SU 4360-2
Published: 23rd May 2025
Genre: Orchestral
Format: 1 CD
Béla Bartók (1881–1945) – Piano Concerto No. 1 in A major, Sz. 83 (1926). Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Sz. 95 (1931). Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119 (1945)
Tomáš Vrána piano, Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, conductor Gábor Káli
Bartók as an uncompromising individualist, Bartók as an architect, Bartók as a poet – that could be a simplified characterisation of his three piano concertos; three works that capture in a surprisingly fitting way the stages of the composer’s life, from the discovery of his own musical language to refinement and finally his acceptance of the difficult end to his life’s journey. The calm and peaceful mood of the most frequently played Third Piano Concerto contrasts strikingly with the relentlessly tempestuous struggle of the First and the lively vitality of the Second. To this day, however, extreme technical difficulty hinders the more frequent performing of these works. The playing of the young piano virtuoso Tomáš Vrána, joined on the recording by the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and the Hungarian conductor Gábor Káli, definitely goes well beyond mere technical mastery in the works. His debut received high praise from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet: “Apart from it being quite rare to see a pianist so dedicated to such difficult pieces, it is even less common to see a young musician mastering them with such musical intelligence and deep knowledge of the orchestra score coupled with a great sense of rhythm and a masterful technique!” Tomáš Vrána also exhibited similar sensitivity and mastery in his use of language – he accompanied his recording with an interesting text for the CD booklet.
The three Bartók concertos – Tomáš Vrána’s exciting debut
Tomáš Vrána piano, Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, conductor Gábor Káli
Bartók as an uncompromising individualist, Bartók as an architect, Bartók as a poet – that could be a simplified characterisation of his three piano concertos; three works that capture in a surprisingly fitting way the stages of the composer’s life, from the discovery of his own musical language to refinement and finally his acceptance of the difficult end to his life’s journey. The calm and peaceful mood of the most frequently played Third Piano Concerto contrasts strikingly with the relentlessly tempestuous struggle of the First and the lively vitality of the Second. To this day, however, extreme technical difficulty hinders the more frequent performing of these works. The playing of the young piano virtuoso Tomáš Vrána, joined on the recording by the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and the Hungarian conductor Gábor Káli, definitely goes well beyond mere technical mastery in the works. His debut received high praise from Jean-Efflam Bavouzet: “Apart from it being quite rare to see a pianist so dedicated to such difficult pieces, it is even less common to see a young musician mastering them with such musical intelligence and deep knowledge of the orchestra score coupled with a great sense of rhythm and a masterful technique!” Tomáš Vrána also exhibited similar sensitivity and mastery in his use of language – he accompanied his recording with an interesting text for the CD booklet.
The three Bartók concertos – Tomáš Vrána’s exciting debut
Reviews
“The young Czech pianist tackles Bartók’s formidable concertos with confidence and technical accomplishment… Tomáš Vrána is undoubtedly dauntless; his performances are full of confidence, verve and faultless technical accomplishment… For all his keyboard agility, Vrána seems to be at most imaginative in the concertos’ slow movements, especially the central Adagio of the second, one of the most atmospheric examples of Bartók’s “night music”, to which he adds wonderful colour and subtlety.”
The Guardian, May 2025
“The Third Concerto has been lucky in most Bartók cycles, and it may well be the present release’s strongest entry. Among the first movement’s highlights is Vrána’s elegant handling of the grazioso double notes answered by the woodwinds’ cackling rejoinders… The Allegro vivace abounds in exuberant brio, where one can take dictation from Káli’s delineation of woodwind and brass entrances and contrapuntal awareness. The build-up throughout the canonic interplay between soloist and orchestra is a great example of this… this is a Bartók cycle worth hearing.”
Gramophone, July 2025
“These are marvellous, invigorating works. I’ll hang onto the old DG Géza Anda set as my reference version, but Vrána’s cycle is a brilliant modern alternative, beautifully engineered.”
The Arts Desk, July 2025
“Taking on Bartók’s three piano concertos is no mean feat, and all those who succeed are worthy of admiration. Tomáš Vrána, at 31 years old, deserves immense respect for such mature and effective renditions of the solo part… this is an impressive release, showcasing a young pianist with great promise, and a lesser-known orchestra which is nevertheless very capable under Gábor Káli’s leadership.”
MusicWeb International, July 2025
“Vrana avale sans scurciller trois concertos prodigieusement exigeants, surtout les deux premiers et qui, tous, supposent de la part du soliste, non seulement une folle virtuosité – frustrante car peu voyante – niais encore un instinct de l'orchestre… Avec Gabor Kali, attentif au détail, il incarne le caractère propre à chaque séquence.”
Diapason, October 2025
“The Concerto’s opening Allegro has the right blend of impulsiveness and implacability, the testing balance between piano and a winds-dominated orchestra adeptly solved, with its taciturn central section as vividly delineated as its climactic stages are powerfully protected… This release is finely recorded and stylishly illustrated…”
International Piano, October 2025
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Béla Bartók
Piano Concerto No. 1 in A major, Sz 83
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| 1. | I. Allegro moderato - Allegro | 09:34 | |
| 2. | II. Andante - attacca | 07:20 | |
| 3. | III. Allegro molto | 07:13 | |
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Béla Bartók
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Sz 95
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| 4. | I. Allegro | 10:34 | |
| 5. | II. Adagio - Presto - Più adagio | 12:33 | |
| 6. | III. Allegro molto | 06:47 | |
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Béla Bartók
Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz 119
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| 7. | I. Allegro | 07:54 | |
| 8. | II. Adagio religioso | 09:35 | |
| 9. | III. Allegro vivace | 07:03 | |