Biography

On Friday, November 22, 2024, in the afternoon, the young and promising ensemble SHAPRAN & FAZEKAS PIANO DUO performed for the Ostrava audience. Pianists Kateryna Shapran and Balasz Fazekas had already appeared several years ago at a concert at the Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava; this time, they showcased their artistry in the concert hall of the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Ostrava, located at Černá louka.
The piano duo prepared a pleasant evening program for the audience, consisting of works by Antonín Dvořák, Theodor Yakimenko, and Franz Liszt. The concert opened with Dvořák’s Legends. From the very first notes, the pianists left no doubt that they are experienced interpreters for their age, presenting the works with a professional level of artistry. Especially noteworthy were their technical mastery and remarkably precise ensemble playing—even in the smallest nuances of tempo and phrasing. Their interpretation was marked by an intimate and poetic approach; the Legends came across as delicate, tender, and airy—perhaps at times even too much so. A more sharply contrasting rendering of the individual parts of the cycle might have further strengthened the emotional impact.
In the middle of the concert, the audience heard Six Ukrainian Pieces for piano four-hands by Theodor Yakimenko. Here, the duo demonstrated flawless synchronization, a wide range of technique, colorful dynamics, and varied moods.
The concert concluded with Franz Liszt’s Concerto Pathétique for two pianos, S. 258, where both pianists impressively navigated the technical challenges of the composition. Rapid passages, octave runs, thirds, and other hallmarks of Liszt’s piano style were delivered with extraordinary confidence, ease, and precision. The pianists handled even the acoustical limitations and the not entirely balanced sound of the instruments with great skill. Their absolutely unique unison passage in the middle of the piece came across as a true revelation.
The concert by SHAPRAN & FAZEKAS PIANO DUO was received very warmly by the audience. Their performance offered a refreshing experience filled with poetic interpretations, impeccable coordination, and outstanding musical ideas—qualities these two young musicians possess in abundance. The Department of Keyboard Instruments at the Faculty of Fine Arts looks forward to welcoming them back for another concert in the future.