We have a winner! Jan Mráček
As you are aware from the website of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, the ensemble’s soloist, 23-year-old violinist Jan Mráček, reached the final at the eighth Fritz Kreisler International Competition. That stunning success was followed by even more joyous news: the PRSO soloist and laureate of the Concertino Praga radio competition had taken first place in the eighth edition of the Fritz Kreisler International Violin Competition in Vienna!
The jury explained its verdict thus: “Jan is a worthy winner. He has fascinated us from the first round, not only thanks to his technical skills but also his charisma on stage.” And the winner’s response? “It is one of the most beautiful moments of my career. I didn’t expect to win because my fellow competitors are incredibly great violinists,” said the Plzeň-born musician, a Prague Conservatory graduate currently studying at Vienna’s Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst.
What exactly did Jan have to go through in the competition? A solo recital at the Schubert Hall (50 participants), a semi-final at the same venue (concert with piano, 17 participants), the final (performance with piano, seven participants) and in the end the gala final, when on 18 September he performed Brahms’ Concerto in D major at the Grand Hall of Vienna’s Konzerthaus accompanied by the ORF Symphony Orchestra and director Johannes Wildner. After a series of interviews and congratulations, which the happy musician no doubt received from supporters, classical music buffs, journalists and admirers, he can look forward to many recordings and concerts, including a solo performance with the Vienna Philharmonic.
The competition, named after the Vienna-born violin virtuoso and composer, is for violinists between the ages of 14 and 30. It has been in existence since 1979 and this year took place on 9–18 September.
