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The international press has described Czech pianist Jan Bartoš as “one of the finest European pianists” and “an emotional and sophisticated interpreter.” As a Supraphon label exclusive recording artist, his CD-recordings of the music Janáček, Mozart, Beethoven and Novák have earned international critical acclaim from critics at Gramophone, Diapason, BBC Music Magazine, The Sunday Times, American Record Guide, The Guardian, and in many other leading world media and music publications..
Jan Bartoš’s recent released CD on Supraphon, performing Vítezslav Novák’s (a pupil of Dvořák’s and a highly distinguished composer) Piano Concerto in E minor (the first studio recording of the concerto), with Maestro Jakub Hrůša and the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, has been critically acclaimed internationally. Voted London’s The Guardian newspaper’s Classical Album of the Week and The Month's Best Albums in September 2020: who wrote of Bartoš’s expressive gifts that the Novák concerto crammed with hefty bravura solo ‘‘is dispatched on the recording by Jan Bartoš with suitable muscularity". Stretto classical magazine wrote, ‘‘the music is brilliantly performed by both, the soloist and the conductor.’’ And London’s The Sunday Times, highlighted the CD as ‘‘worth knowing in Hrůša and Bartoš’s idiomatic performances.’’
In May 2021, Bartoš’s recording with Maestro Jakub Hrusa and Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra of Vítězslav Novák’s - Piano Concerto, Toman and the Wood Nymph won the Czech Republic’s “Grammy®” 2020 Best Classical Album Ceny Anděl Coca-Cola Awards (Angel Coca-Cola Award).
Bartoš’s Janáček CD, selected as the Gramophone Editor's Choice, noted Bartoš draws listens into ‘‘Janáček’s compelling sound world, music both exposed and somehow personal, lines and details delivered from the very beginning with imagination and deep thought.’’ Bartoš’s Janáček CD was further selected among 10 Classical Albums To Usher In The Next Decade by NPR (National Public Radio, USA). Furthermore, Bartoš’s Beethoven double album received a high 5-star review in the BBC Music Magazine, stating that “everything in this recording is outstanding... The Arietta of Op. 111 is here gorgeous beyond words."
Bartoš appeared in March 2021 at the Hong Kong Arts Festival in a concert solo-recital of Janáček's piano works which was viewed online by an international world audience. He returned to the 76th Prague Spring Music Festival performing the Prokofiev Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D flat major Op. 10 with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Ilan Volkov. And has also performed the Prokofiev Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in concert with Maestro Kristjan Järvi and the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Leoš Janácek International Music Festival.
Bartoš was to perform at the Shanghai International Arts Festival and undertake a 4-date solo recital concert tour of China in 2021 (rescheduled to 2022). He will perform and give a masterclass in the United States of America at the San Francisco International Piano Festival 2022. Other appearances have included a sold-out solo recital (along with Evgeny Kissin, Marc-Andre Hamelin, and Beatrice Rana) at the Rudolf Firkušný Piano Festival organised by the Prague Spring Music Festival, and the complete Janáček's piano works at the International Festival Janáček Brno. Bartoš has performed Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Martinů’s Double Concerto with the Prague Philharmonia.
Jan Bartoš has given concerts at prominent venues throughout Europe, in Asia and the USA (including his debut Carnegie Hall). He made his New York debut in 2009 playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Manhattan Philharmonia.