The Czech organist (and harpsichordist), Aleš Bárta, began his studies at the Brno Conservatory (under Josef Pukl) and continued at the Academy of Music in Prague (Vaclav Rabas). He attained his first successes in Czech and international competitions when still a student. He won the Anton Bruckner International Organ Competition in Linz (1982), was a prize winner at the Franz Liszt International Organ Competition in Budapest (1983) and absolute winner of the 1984 Prague Spring International Organ Competition.
Aleš Bárta's repertoire comprises key works of Czech and world music from the Baroque to the present day. He appears as soloist with leading Czech symphony and chamber orchestras, among them the Prague Symphony orchestra FOK, the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. During his tour of Japan his appearence marked the opening of a new concert hall in Yokohama, he will be returning to Japan in 1999.
Aleš Bárta makes frequent guest appearances in his country and abroad. He has played in Austria, Hungary, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Russia, the USA and Japan, and has taken part in international festivals in Prague , Bratislava, Leipzig, Istanbul, Berlin, Avignon, Tokyo, London and Zürich. Since 1995 he has held the title of "Czech Radio Soloist".
In March 1996 Aleš Bárta won a Supraphon Gold Disc for his recording of Bach's organ work. He records for Supraphon, Ultraphon and Pony Canyon (Bach's complete works for organ). He won the Japanese Critic' Prize for his Bach recordings. |