Frank Horvat
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"Wildly original, often chaotic, eclectic as all get-out, and quite a ride."

Aggressive yet introspective, a virtuosic pianist whose original compositions and improvisations demonstrate an unpredictable meld of musical styles. Instrumental pieces without words that tell deeply personal stories.

Influenced by Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, Bartók, Zappa, Rush, Miles Davis, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, metal, Tori Amos, ...

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Media Clips


Frank talks about the Green Keys Tour

July, 2010: Bullfrog Buzz: "The range of sounds and tempos, combined with the darkness of the hall, eased me into a deep state..."

June 1, 2010: WWF-Canada Blog: Composer and pianist Frank Horvat gets his creative juices flowing on the bus.

May 1, 2010: The North Bay Nugget: "'Dark' concert to draw attention to environmental issues."

April 29, 2010: The Orillia Packet & Times: "Pianist and composer making statement on the unnecessary ubiquity of energy...".

April 18, 2010: Concert review: "I believe Horvat's Hungarian ethnicity allows for a Lisztian archetype at the piano".

March 27, 2010: "There is a saying, Make every hour Earth Hour... [that is] partially why people like me are doing what we do."
      - Frank Horvat on CBC's The National, Earth Hour segment featuring Frank Horvat, David Suzuki and Judi Vandenbrink

"Horvat is no con man. He's actually a thoughtful composer and player, an accomplished classical musician who has made a kind of tricky musical leap that allows him to pursue a niche of his own..."
      - Tom Murray, Edmonton Journal
READ ARTICLE

"It’s an eclectic mixture of various influences – everything from Steve Reich to Billy Joel… I was most impressed by the haunting exoticism."
      - Colin Eatock, Wholenote Magazine

view all media clips    

CD Cover - A Little Dark Music
CD - A Little Dark Music
Release: March 27, 2010
Instrumentation: Piano

A Little Dark Music is an ambient & electrifying collection that brings peace, joy and contentment to its listeners

Review - "Highly recommended... Will make waves musically."
Working With The Sun    1:59
The Week After  10:06
Poverty    5:37
Earth Hour  60:00
» Hear full-length track on myspace


CD Cover - I'll Be Good
CD - I'll Be Good
Release: June 5, 2007
Instrumentation: Piano

Agressive and gritty piano music. An unpredictable meld of musical styles.

Review: "Bordering on the improvisations of Keith Jarrett...this is a truly eclectic mix showcasing Horvat's wealth of technique and energy...I'm left shaking my head in wonder."

Review: "Wildly original, often chaotic, eclectic as all get-out, and quite a ride."
Starsky & Hutch  3:32
Filler' Up  8:29
Dirty  2:34
In the Name of Ignorance  7:40
Alexis  5:31
Almost an Island  3:53
ZeeZoo Snaps  6:16
Great House of Riffs  4:19
Blind Man  4:09
NoName  3:30
Speedy McBlues  5:39
Smokers  5:38
The Resolve  7:44
» Hear full-length tracks on myspace
» View all Frank Horvat compositions


Biography (view programme bio | view educational bio)

"Muscular, musical, vigorous, memorable"

Frank Horvat is an award-winning and critically acclaimed composer and pianist. His original music is influenced by the post-modern idea of eclecticism. His portfolio of compositions demonstrates a variety of musical styles, even combined within one work.

This is evident from his influences: From Bach to Beethoven to Bartók to Bjork, folk musics from around the world, jazz & blues, minimalism. His compositions have been based on real world themes such as social issues, family, athletic pursuits, September 11 and sometimes just a catchy little riff.



For Frank, creative new music does not have to be put on a pedestal and be art with a capital "A". Making an emotional and/or cerebral connection with an audience is paramount. That is why he feels strongly about performing his own works whenever possible. Solo piano recitals are intense, passionate, and engaging.

Frank has performed, directed, and arranged many styles of music including Classical, Blues, Rock, Jazz and Pop in both solo and ensemble/band efforts in Canada and abroad. He believes in presenting live music in any manner: from the conventional to the unconventional, from acoustic to electronic, etc. Released in June '07, his debut recording, “I'll Be Good”, features thirteen original compositions for solo piano performed by Frank himself. This was followed by a 28-stop concert tour including performances at NuitBlanche (Toronto) and The Works Art and Design Festival (Edmonton). Frank's followup CD, "A Little Dark Music", released on Earth Hour 2010 is inspired by environmental themes. A portion of the sale of this CD is being donated to WWF. From March 2010-11, Frank is presenting "The Green Keys Tour", a 50+ city cross-Canada concert tour that showcases eco-friendly behaviour.

His portfolio consists of chamber, pop, electronic, musical theatre, film, and large ensemble works. His work has been performed on many occasions in a variety of live venues. His music has also been featured on television networks like the CBC & Bravo and a variety of radio stations internationally.

Born in Ottawa, Canada on April 5, 1974, Frank began his studies at the age of five. His childhood years included intense musical study in piano, theory, and composition - winning many awards and scholarships along the way. He holds an ARCT Diploma with Honours from the Royal Conservatory of Music. He also holds a Bachelor of Music Degree majoring in Composition from the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto where he studied composition with Walter Buczynski and Christos Hatzis and piano with Boyanna Toyich.

Now residing in Toronto with his wife, Frank is passionate about social issues related to poverty and the environment.


 

 





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