As a special treat for Teacher’s Day, we had the pleasure of joining our dear Cristofori teachers at the historic Victoria Concert Hall to experience Czech pianist Matyáš Novák’s recital on 26 September 2025. It was a rare opportunity to celebrate both the artistry of a rising Czech pianist and the joy of sharing music with those who inspire and nurture young musicians every day.

The recital, titled A Czech Pianist’s Homage to National Spirit – Music of the Four Greats, highlighted the rich heritage of Czech classical music, performed on the Petrof Monsoon grand piano, a handcrafted instrument embodying 160 years of Bohemian tradition. In Novák’s hands, the piano became an authentic voice of Czech culture, transforming every piece into a living tribute to the composers who shaped it.

The programme opened with a selection from Bedřich Smetana’s Czech Dances, setting the tone with a bold, vibrant Furiant that gave way to moments of quaint charm. The Petrof’s resonance added weight and richness even in the upper registers, enhancing the rustic character of the music. In The Little Hen, Novák captured the whimsical scenery of chickens darting about the farmyard before lifting the piece into the exuberant joy of country life. The Lancer followed with lilting elegance, its dappled, sunlit atmosphere handled with balance and poise, like a musical journey through the Czech countryside.

Leoš Janáček’s Sonata 1.X.1905 (“From the Street”) brought introspection and drama, with the movements Presentiment and Death drawing the audience into Janáček’s deeply expressive world. The recital concluded within Novák’s fantasia on themes from Dvořák’s Rusalka and also his transcription of Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau), a flowing musical narrative depicting the flow of the the longest river in the Czech Republic that highlighted both the composer’s vision and the Petrof’s singing tone. Encores included Dvořák’s beloved Humoresque No. 7 and the lively Furiant, leaving the audience captivated by Novák’s artistry and storytelling.

What made this recital truly unique was the seamless marriage of performance, repertoire, and instrument. The Petrof Monsoon grand piano, with its warm, earthy resonance, became a voice of Czech heritage. In the hands of devoted Czech pianist Matyáš Novák, the evening transformed into a living cultural tribute. For one night in Singapore, Petrof’s 160-year tradition and Novák’s artistry united to bring the spirit of Czech music vividly to life.

Sharing this experience together reminded us why music matters, not just in performance, but in the connections it nurtures, the stories it tells, and the joy it brings to all who listen.

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To check out PETROF Pianos, you can take part in the European Timbre Piano Showcase happening until 31st of December 2025 at the Music Paradise of Cristofori (Bishan – Junction 8)! Find out more here.