Bruno Vlahek
(Zagreb, 1986) is one of the most prominent Croatian artists of young
generation. Discovered as a specially gifted musician, he was enrolled to the
Music Academy of the University in Zagreb at the age of 15. He graduated piano
from the class of Prof. Vladimir Krpan in 2005 as one of the youngest students
in history of that institution. As a Federal scholarship holder of Swiss
Confederation, in 2008 he obtained a piano soloist diploma with distinction (avec
félicitations) at the Conservatoire de Lausanne in the class of Prof.
Jean-François Antonioli. From 2008/09 he is continuing his studies at the
Hochschule für Musik in Cologne (Germany) with Prof. Vassily Lobanov.
Beside being an
absolute winner of Croatian national competitions held in Dubrovnik in 1999 and
2001, he was a prizewinner at international piano competitions in Pinerolo 1997
and Moncalieri 1998 (Italy), EPTA in Osijek (Croatia) 2003, Concours Grieg
(Jury's Special Mention) in Oslo (Norway) 2003, EPTA - "Svetislav Stancic"
in Zagreb 2007 and many others. In July 2008, he won the First prize at the „Ricard
Viñes“ International Piano Competition in Lleida (Spain). For his artistic
achievements he also received Rector's Award of the University in Zagreb 2004,
Croatian Composers Society's Award 2005, „Prix Paderewski“ 2006
and „Max D. Jost“ Award 2008 (Switzerland).
He is regularly
being invited to perform as a soloist in many European countries - Austria,
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Norway, Russia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. He also took part at eminent music
festivals (Evenings in St. Donat, Pag Summer, Festival of Croatian Music in
Vienna, Music Biennale Zagreb etc.) and performed with orchestras such as
Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of the Croatian Radio
Television, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonietta de Genève and Zagreb
Philharmonic Orchestra to mention few. As a scholarship holder of
international foundation „Vladimir Spivakov“ he performed at the concert
series held in Moscow in 2002. His concert appereances were broadcasted on TV
and radio stations in Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, Spain and Russia. In 2008 he
recorded Second Piano Concerto by C. Saint-Saëns with Lausanne Chamber Orchestra
for Radio Suisse Romande.
He has specialized at masterclasses with renowned music teachers such as Dmitri
Bashkirov, Noel Flores, Einar Steen-Nøkleberg and Jean-Bernard Pommier.
His other
music activities include those of being an organist and composer. He has written
about 30 works of various genres, with special emphasis on piano and chamber
music. In 2007., his Sonata for two pianos has been awarded by Ministry
of Culture of the Republic of Croatia. His music gained most positive critics
and has been performed in European music centres such as Salzburg, München,
Vienna, Vilnius, Lausanne, Prague and Zagreb. In 2008 his works were performed
at International Choir Festival in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic) and his
Mass for soloists, choir and orchestra was premiered in Maracaibo
(Venezuela).
