Ales Barta Czech organist. Date of Birth: 30.08.1960 Country: Czech

1. Early Life and Education
2. Competition Success
3. Bach Master
4. Other Notable Works

Early Life and Education

Petr Eben was born in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic in 1929. From a young age, he displayed an exceptional talent for music, particularly the organ. He began his formal music education at the Brno Conservatory and later continued his studies at the Prague Academy of Music under the tutelage of Václav Rabas.

Competition Success

In 1982, Eben's virtuosity was recognized when he won the International Anton Bruckner Organ Competition in Linz, Austria. Two years later, he triumphed at the organ competition of the Prague Spring International Music Festival. These prestigious victories established him as a renowned organist on the international stage.

Bach Master

Eben's reputation rests primarily on his masterful interpretations of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. His recordings of Bach's organ music have garnered critical acclaim and received top music awards, including the Czech Golden Disc from Supraphon in 1996 and an award in Japan in 1995.

Other Notable Works

Beyond his interpretations of Bach, Eben has also recorded a notable album of organ transcriptions of Russian classical music for Octavia Records in 2000. This album features iconic works such as Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and a suite from Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker."