Ratko Delorko

Ratko Delorko is a German pianist, composer, producer and conductor. He was born in Hamburg in 1959 and studied in Düsseldorf, Cologne and Munich. His concert activity has taken him to concert halls all over the world and his repertoire covers works from baroque to contemporary music. He has recorded Gershwin’s complete piano oeuvre, Mozart piano concertos, and a live Chopin recital at the Berlin Philharmonic. He also performs at open-air events, and has held a concert in the Dachstein Ice Cave in the Austrian Alps.^[1]

Delorko’s versatility is shown by his explorations of works by lesser known composers and his many first recordings of previously unknown compositions. He also plays ‘Jazz meets Classic’ concerts together with Christoph Spendel.^[2]

Ratko Delorko’s compositions include music for piano, chamber music, orchestral works and electronic music.^[3] He has recorded a CD with the title The History of the Piano for the New Classic Colours label. This album includes selections from the baroque era to contemporary, performed on twenty different original keyboard instruments of the respective eras. This project has been expanded for performances at concert venues, and enthusiastic reviews have commended the artist for his artistic dedication linked with modern technology. He has performed and recorded two Beethoven piano concertos on several of these instruments.

Ratko Delorko currently teaches Master Classes in Europe,^[4] the USA, and Asia.^[5] He lectures at the Music University of Frankfurt, Germany in addition to his tour schedule. He also writes articles and tests instruments and music software for music magazines.^[6]

Compositions

• Die Ey, Opera (1991) for Vocalists, Computer, Synthetic Drums and Piano, Libretto Kai Metzger, Uraufführung Düsseldorf 1991
• ..später vielleicht dann die Heimkehr (1996) Oratorium for Soprano, Tenor, Narrator, Piano and Synthesizer
• Mörrfried-Lieder for Baritone and Piano after Texts from Kai Metzger (1998)
• Blattspiel (1996) for Oboe und Piano
• Zeitklang, Zyklus for Piano I & II (1984–1987) Published by Zimmermann Frankfurt^[7]
• Sonata for Two Pianos (1991)
• MIDI-Sonata for Audioforte-Grand, Computer and Synthesizer (1993)
• Dorint-Suite (1997) for Piano
• Otmar Alt-Sonata (1999) for Piano
• Drei Spiele für Kinderklavier (1993)

Discography

• Gershwin, Virtuoso Piano Music on Aurophon, Sony Music, Zeitklang
• Mozart, Piano Concertos KV 413. 414. 175 as soloist and conductor on Aurophon, Sony Music, Zeitklang
• Recital I, recorded in Italy on Aurophon, Zeitklang
• New Music for Toy Piano on SST
• Beethoven Piano Concertos on Period Instruments WoO 4 and Nr. 2 on Attacca
• Chopin-Recital live from Berlin Philharmonic Hall on Zeitklang
• CD-Extra The Piano History on NCC
• Europiano: 15 Young European Pianists on Zeitklang
• The History of the Steinway Piano on Zeitklang
• DVD & CD, Jazz meets Classic Piano Duet on Zeitklang
• Recital II, recorded in the USA on Zeitklang
• Audiobook, Papillons with Reiner Schöne on Zeitklang
• Crescendo Piano History Audiobook with Students of Music University Graz

Notes

1. "Sound of Ice: The well-tempered clavier with Ratko Delorko" (in German). Retrieved 2009-03-14.
2. "Christoph Spendel Biography" (in German). Retrieved 2009-03-14.
3. "A Classical Pianist Turns to MIDI". Keyboard Companion. Winter 2003. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
4. "Val Tidone Summer Camp". Retrieved 2009-03-14.
5. "Sound of a painting". Star Publications (Malaysia). March 14, 2007. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
6. "Sound experience of digital piano" (in German). Tastenwelt. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
7. "Newsletter, July 7, 2006" (in German). Zimmermann Frankfurt. Archived from the original on January 13, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-14.

External links

• Official site
• "Ratko Delorko" (in German). Music University of Frankfurt faculty profile. Retrieved 2009-03-14.