Description
Some legends remain concealed … The name Martin Ballý may be new to many, yet it is definitely worth
remembering. Proof in this respect is given by the renowned pianists Jan Bartoš and Miroslav Sekera,
his pupils, whose extraordinary art bears witness to Ballý’s outstanding qualities as a teacher. Yet the
main testimony is Ballý’s own recordings, hitherto untouched and patiently waiting in the radio
archives. His repertoire as a solo pianist centres on 20th-century Czech music: unrivalled
interpretations of Janá?ek and Martin? works, mesmerising renditions of Kabelá? pieces. In his
straightforward expressiveness, Ballý is not afraid to venture to the very limit of his instrument’s
potential, but his tone remains radiant and colourful. Besides solo piano (his teachers included Josef
Pálení?ek), Ballý devoted to chamber music (studying with the no less famous Josef Vlach). As a
member of Ars Trio, his partners were children of the mentioned teachers, the violinist Dana Vlachová
(today a member of the Czech Trio) and the cellist Jan Pálení?ek (now a member of the Smetana Trio).
Their recordings feature gems of Czech trio music (Dvo?ák, Novák, Martin?) and two remarkable global
repertoire creations (Shostakovich, Mozart). The majority of the recordings, dating from between 1980
and 1992, are from the Czech Radio archives and are now being released for the very first time. legends
are well worth waiting for.
