Dvorak: Violin Concerto, Romance, Mazurek & Four Romantic Pieces Jan Mrácek

• Violin Concerto in A minor op.53 B108:
• 1I. Allegro ma non troppo – Quasi moderato12:06
• 2II. Adagio ma non troppo11:04
• 3III. Finale. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo11:22
• Romance in F for violin & orchestra op.11 B38:
• 4Romance in F for Violin & Orchestra, Op. 11, B.3812:39
• MAZUREK (Mazurka) for violin & orchestra op.49 B90:
• 5Mazurek for Violin & Orchestra Op. 49, B.9006:36
• Four Romantic Pieces for violin & piano op.75 B150:
• 6I. Allegro moderato03:05
• 7II. Allegro maestoso02:42
• 8III. Allegro appassionato02:30
• 9IV. Larghetto05:23
• Total Runtime01:07:27

Info for Dvorak: Violin Concerto, Romance, Mazurek & Four Romantic Pieces

24 year-old Czech violinist Jan Mracek took home the top prize at the 8th International Fritz Kreisler Competition in 2014. For his début album, he has chosen an all Dvorak program featuring the charming and lyrical Violin Concerto, the haunting Romance in F, the Slavonic style Mazurek Op.49 and the charming Four Romantic Pieces Op.75. A graduate of the Prague Conservatory of Music, this emerging artist pays tribute to his countryman.

'Jan is a worthy winner. He has fascinated us from the first round. Not only with his technical skills, but also with his charisma on stage' the chairman of the jury of the 2014 Fritz Kreisler Competition announced after Mrácek’s performance with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was met with thunderous applause. Prior to this Mrácek has studied with the great Czech master Václav Hudecek, as well as with Levon Chilingirian, Gavriel Lipkind and Ida Haendel.

For his debut album, Jan Mrácek has chosen an all Czech programme devoted to Dvorák. The violin concerto sits on the margins of that exclusive club of 'great' concertos but this is to misunderstand the originality and genius of this concerto, dedicated to Joseph Joachim, written by a superb violinist with a deep understanding of the capabilities of his instrument.

The easy charm and lyricism of the music has always appealed to the public. The haunting 'Romance in F' originally formed the slow movement of an early String Quartet Op. 9, and has the ability to stick in the listener’s memory long after the music has stopped. 'Mazurek' Op.49 was dedicated to Pablo de Sarasate and is typical of Dvorak’s Slavonic style. The 'Four Romantic Pieces' Op. 75 were composed for a group of friends of varying musical abilities, and are charming, easy-going works.

Jan Mrácek, violin
Lukás Klánsky, piano
Czech National Symphony Orchestra
James Judd, conductor

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Booklet for Dvorak: Violin Concerto, Romance, Mazurek & Four Romantic Pieces