Dalibor Karvay

When we at Alain Delon Journal were planning an issue dedicated to classical music, we immediately knew that it would not be complete without a profile of one of the leading violin virtuosos of our time. However, due to the busy schedule of soloists of similar caliber, we were a little skeptical about whether we would be able to organize an interview. Thanks to his fantastically friendly nature and accessibility, today in our journal we are introducing you to a man who plays a major role in contemporary Slovak classical music. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Dalibor Karvay.

When looking at Dalibor's biography, his age immediately strikes you. It is incredible how much this young virtuoso has achieved in such a short time. At the age of thirteen, he moved from his native Martin to Vienna to study at the conservatory, which he then continued at the prestigious Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Graz. On top of all this, while playing with the world's best orchestras, such as the Radio Symphonierorchester Wien, the English Chamber Orchestra, or the Rundfunk Sinfonier orchestra Berlin, Dalibor still found time to collect prestigious awards from world competitions. As if by chance, by the way. When you meet Dalibor Karvay for the first time, you immediately get the impression that he is a very pleasant and easy-going guy. Simply, the kind of person you would want to hang out with anytime. They went out for a beer and chatted about football or tennis, sports he himself really enjoys playing. He is a big fan of chamber music and whenever he visits Prague he likes to play in a chamber orchestra with Radek Baborák, a phenomenal horn player. He also considers working with the famous conductor Seiji Ozawa as a source of great inspiration. However, without his passion for music, none of this would have made Mr. Karvay such a great violinist. His goal has always been to be a soloist and to enjoy every moment of his career.

It's different from playing in an orchestra. You're responsible for yourself, for what you've practiced and what you know. I like freedom and that's what a soloist's career gives me.

Another recently discovered passion stems most certainly from his experience learning from the best. Dalibor takes great pleasure in discovering the potential in young violinists and helping them improve. "I have a few students in Vienna, and also in Bratislava at the Conservatory, and that fulfills me very much. I am very happy when I can help other people." Being only thirty years old and having accomplished so much in life raises the question of where he sees himself next. In addition to playing and traveling around the world, the work he loves most of all, he would like to continue teaching. And it is great that people like Dalibor want to pass on their experience. When I ask him what advice he would give to young talents, he quotes from a funny, but all the more true slogan on a T-shirt he once saw. "How to get to Carnegie Hall? - Practice, practice, practice." The circle closes, and as was evident at the beginning of our conversation, Dalibor now also points to hard work. Mr. Dalibor Karvay is definitely a future legend of Slovak classical music. Having the opportunity to spend even just an hour with him is not only a great honor, but above all, as I mentioned in the introduction, fun. When We stop the recording, our conversation continues freely, something not very common in formal interviews. And it really says a lot about Dalibor's character. When Dalibor Karvay appears in a concert hall near you, don't miss his concert. If you have time on November 12th, you can see Dalibor Karvay playing together with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra as part of the second subscription concert at Slovak Radio. You definitely won't regret it.