Radoslav Kvapil was born in Brno, Moravia and was taught privately from the age of six by Dr. Ludvik Kundera, Janáček´s successor and Director of the Brno Academy. He later became a graduate at the Academy under the guidance of Dr. Kundera.

He is considered by many international critics to be the most important Czech pianist and the finest exponent of Czech piano music. He has specialised in the performance of the Czech repertoire world-wide during his whole lifetime. His knowledge and understanding of these works remain unrivalled (cf. the Groves Dictionary, the International "Who´s Who in Music", the "Musicians´Directory", the annual British "Music Diary", The American Biographical Institute (USA), the European Biographical Directory (Belgium).

In 1967-69, R. Kvapil recorded Antonín Dvorák's complete piano works (SUPRAPHON) for the first time in history. The complete piano works by Leos Janáček (PANTON), and the complete piano works by J.H. Voříąek (SUPRAPHON) followed in 1975. A second complete recording of L. Janáček's piano works followed in 1989 (ADDA/Paris), and in 1990, the first two volumes of Bohuslav Martinu's complete piano works were released (ADDA/Paris).

Between 1993 and 1996, UNICORN - KANCHANA RECORDS (London) released eight volumes of Radoslav Kvapil's comprehensive Anthology of Czech Piano Music containing works by A. Dvorák, B. Smetana, B. Martinu, J.H. Vorisek, Z. Fibich, L. Janáček and J. Suk.

He recorded a CD containing piano and chamber music works by V.Novak for ASV (London), piano works by F.Schubert for the "Schubert Celebration Year" in 1996, and a CD released in Paris for the Chopin Celebration Year in 1999, containing F.Chopin's "Etudes", In 1998, he also recorded two CDs on Dvorak's 1879 Bösendorfer piano, containing the piano works by A.Dvorak, of which Volume 1 was released by ACCORD (Paris) In 2000, he recorded a further CD in the United States, containing major works by F. Chopin. In 2002, he recorded the last three Piano Sonatas by V. Ullmann, which was released by PRAGA DIGITALS (Paris), in Autumn 2002. In 2002, he recorded all V. Ullmann's Piano Sonatas for Czech Radio. He has made frequent live broadcasts for numerous international television and radio stations.

Radoslav Kvapil has performed in major concert halls throughout the world, in 47 countries and in 26 States in USA. He has given concerts in the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican Centre (London), Carnegie Recital Hall (New York) the Théatre des Champs-Elysées, the Auditorium du Louvre (Paris), Concert Hall of The Seoul Arts Center the Henry Crown Symphony Hall (Jerusalem), the Rudolfinum and the Smetana Hall(Prague)...

He has frequently been invited to be a member of the jury of eminent piano competitions, which include the Schumann Competition in Zwickau, the Gina Bachauer in Salt Lake City, and the American Pianists Association in Indianapolis.

He is the Chairman of both the South Bohemia Music Festival, which he founded in 1974,and of the Vysočína Music Festival, which he founded in 2002.

He is the Chairman of the International Dvořák Society.

In 2002, the French Ministry of Culture awarded him the title of "Chevalier dans l´Ordre des Arts et des Lettres".

EXTRACTS FROM INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS :

DIAPASON (Paris)

"Radoslav Kvapil, who already recorded Dvooák´s complete piano works around 3O years ago, is undoubtedly, since the death of Rudolf Firku1ný, the finest specialist of this music."

(Philippe ANDRIOT)

CRESCENDO (Brussels)

"Radoslav Kvapil is today, without doubt, the greatest performer of piano works by Smetana, Janáeek or Martinu."

(Harry HALBREICH)

REPERTOIRE(Paris)

"Radoslav Kvapil has an exemplary approach to Dvooák´s music. As a specialist of the Czech repertoire, Kvapil has received well-deserved praise for his interpretations of Smetana,Vooí1ek, Fibich, Janáeek, Novak, Suk, Martinu. But it is no doubt with Dvooák that he has attained his most constant success."

(Gérard BELVIRE)

FANFARE (USA)

"The performances here are first rate: the key to all three is pianist Radoslav Kvapil, a magician with Czech music- and Moravian and Slovak. I know of no other pianist, not even Rudolf Firku1ný, who has so consistently communicated its warmth and character.

He has a big technique, and plays his music with great panache.

(James H. NORTH)

"Kvapil, a superlative Dvooákian, plays this music with sensitivity and flair. Highly recommended.

It is fortunate that we have as fine a pianist as Kvapil. He has color and energy and in the shorter pieces, he is beguiling."

(Leslie GERBER)

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE (London)

"Radoslav Kvapil has done sterling service for the cause of Czech piano music, including a complete recording of Dvooák´s piano works. Kvapil¶ sympathies range broadly, and if his own concert repertoire is a guide, then this series should attract anyone interested in late 19th century piano music, as well as the Czech enthusiast.

Any performance needs not only energy and virtuosity, but also insight. R.Kvapil brings all these qualities to bear in performances which continually capture and hold the ear."

(Jan SMACZNY)

LA MONTAGNE (Central France)

"KVAPIL and DVORAK´S PIANO

It is the same research for authenticity, which led Radoslav Kvapil to record the Waltzes op.54, the Eglogues, the Mazurkas and Piano Pieces op. 56 for ACCORD on Dvooák´s own piano. The very special sounds of this instrument itself provide us with a special witness of the composer´s musical universe, and communicate the exact sounds Dvooák had in mind when he wrote this music. An excellent opportunity to discover this immense Czech pianist."

SHEFFIELD TELEGRAPH

"Radoslav Kvapil, one of the world´s great pianists. Magician at the keyboard.

Kvapil´s playing in both SMETANA and DVORAK is peerless. He knows this music inside out and plays it with a commitment which is difficult to resist.

Kvapil, inevitably, is winningly persuasive in his espousal of the virtues of this set."

(Bernard LEE)

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