Music by Franz Schmidt and Anton Bruckner
As former main organist of the monastery of St. Florian, Austria, Robert Kovács is intimately acquainted with the mighty organ, »his Krismannin«, as Bruckner called the instrument. Kovács, who can look back at an impressive career as an organist and won the renowned International Organ Improvisation Competition in Haarlem, Holland, and in Schlögl, Austria, plays works by his famous predecessor and by Franz Schmidt, one of the main figures of the Austrian late romantic era.
Robert Kovács, organ
Franz Schmidt (1874-1939):
Prelude and und Fuge D major
Chaconne C sharp minor
Anton Bruckner (1824-1896):
Prelude C major
Adagio from the 7th Symphony C sharp minor
Total recording time: 75:36 | Format: Audio-CD
Recording: August 2008, St. Florian, Austria
Booklet: English, German, Hungarian (36 pages)
Ord. No. SRL4-08032 | (p) & (c) SPEKTRAL 2008 | Series SPEKTRAL CLASSICS
Robert Kovács was born in 1976 in Hungary. At the age of 5 he began studying the piano, and took up the organ at the age of 11. He studied at the Budapest Conservatory under Endre Virágh and received the First Prize in 1994 at the organ festival for Hungarian students.
He graduated with distinction from the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, where he studied church music and organ under Hans Haselböck and Peter Planyavsky. As a result of the exceptional success of his graduation examination, Robert Kovács received an additional prestigious prize from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture.
In November of 1998, he received Second Prize in the Anton Heiller International Composition for Organ Improvisation.
As member of the Viennese vocal ensemble Choralschola, Kovács became deeply involved in Gregorian chant. From 2001 – 2003 he taught organ improvisation and liturgical organ as the church music instructor for the Vienna archdiocese. From 2004 – 2006 he was titular organist at the St. Florian Monastery in Upper Austria. In 2004 he was finalist, and in 2006 he won First Prize at the International Competition for Organ Improvisation in Haarlem, Holland.
Robert Kovács performs regularly as soloist with orchestras, most recently including the Vienna Symphony under Fabio Luisi, as well as in radio and television programs.
Further infos: Robert Kovács
