Antonín Kubálek
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Antonín Kubálek (November 8, 1935 in Libkovice near Duchcov) is a famous Czech-Canadian pianist.
Kubálek studied in Prague with outstanding Czech pianist František Maxián. Since arriving in Canada in 1968, Kubálek has performed in solo, chamber and orchestral concerts.
He is a best-selling international recording artist, with over a dozen CDs currently available and two dozen LPs titles to his credit. His award-winning CD recordings on the prestigious Dorian label have won him extraordinary praise in such publications as the American Record Guide, Fanfare Magazine, CD Review, Gramophone Magazine. Kubálek has twice been nominated for the highest recording honour in Canada: the Juno Award.
Glenn Gould made a unique contribution to this Canadian artist’s career. Gould’s only foray into the role of "producer" was inspired by Kubálek’s playing. The Second Piano Sonata by Korngold, re-released on CD Citadel Records, was the fruit of this singular musical union. Antonín Kubálek, a respected educator, has served on the faculties of The Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, York University, the Prague Conservatory and the Prague Academy.
Receiving three standing ovations following his performance in the Rudolfinum at the 2002 Prague Spring Festival, it is evident that pianist Antonin Kubálek’s artistry and musicianship continues to command respect and admiration from audiences and critics internationally. In November 2002 Kubálek was recognized by the Czech Music Council with a UNESCO honorary award. Kubálek's unusually wide repertoire contains Czech and Canadian music (including contemporary), but also works by romantics as Chopin, Schumann and particularly Brahms, for which he is considered to be one of the foremost performers of last decades.
In 2003 he established his own annual festival (International Kubalek Piano Courses) in Czech Republic for young pianists, where the participants focus on both Czech and worldwide repertoire.
[edit] References
- Tomáš Knopp: Děti neklidné Evropy (Children of restless Europe), 2003, ISBN 80-903179-0-1.
