Ivo Kahánek

Who is Ivo Kahánek?

Ivo Kahanek is a Czech pianist regarded as one of the most gifted Czech musicians of his generation. Renowned for his lyrical poeticism and outstanding virtuosity, he won the Prague Spring International Music Competition in 2004 and gained awards at other leading international piano competitions. After his successful debuts at Beethovenfest Bonn and Prague Spring Festival he was invited by the BBC to perform at the BBC Proms with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under its chief-conductor Jiří Bělohlávek. The concert was broadcast by the BBC Radio 3 and the BBC Television. This critically acclaimed Proms debut is now being offered by Deutsche Grammophon as a digital download. He also performs regularly with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and its chief-conductor Zdeněk Mácal and has made highly appreciated debuts with WDR Orchestra Cologne, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra and many others.

In 2007 Kahánek released two CDs with music by Janáček, Martinů, Klein and Kabeláč and consequently signed a three-year contract with Supraphon Music. Besides he frequently collaborates with Czech Radio and Czech Television. Presently he is preparing for recital debuts in Rome and Tokyo and the performance of the 4th Piano Concerto „Incantation“ by Bohuslav Martinů in Prague with the Czech Philharmonic and Jiří Bělohlávek during 2008. In May he is starting a solo piano recording session for Supraphon Music, interpreting works by Janáček, Martinů and Kabeláč.