Gabriella Déry was a Hungarian classical music artist who was born on January 28, 1918, in Budapest, Hungary. She was the daughter of a prominent Hungarian composer, László Lajtha, who was also a professor of music at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. Gabriella grew up in a musical family and was exposed to classical music from a young age. She began playing the piano at the age of four and later studied the violin and viola. Gabriella's musical talent was evident from a young age, and she quickly became a prodigy. She made her debut as a soloist with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 12, playing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major. Her performance was well-received, and she was praised for her technical skill and musicality. In 1936, Gabriella enrolled at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where she studied under the renowned Hungarian violinist and pedagogue, Jenő Hubay. She also studied chamber music with the Hungarian pianist and composer, Zoltán Kodály. Gabriella's time at the academy was a formative period in her musical development, and she honed her skills as a violinist and violist. After graduating from the academy, Gabriella began her professional career as a soloist and chamber musician. She performed extensively throughout Europe, and her performances were highly acclaimed. In 1940, she made her debut in London, playing the Brahms Violin Concerto with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was a great success, and Gabriella was praised for her virtuosity and musicality. During World War II, Gabriella continued to perform despite the difficult circumstances. She gave concerts for soldiers and refugees, and her music provided solace and comfort during a time of great hardship. In 1944, she was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned for several months. She was eventually released, but the experience left a lasting impact on her. After the war, Gabriella resumed her career as a soloist and chamber musician. She continued to perform throughout Europe and also made several tours of the United States. In 1950, she made her debut at Carnegie Hall in New York, playing the Brahms Viola Sonata with the pianist György Sebők. The performance was a great success, and Gabriella was praised for her expressive playing and musicality. Throughout her career, Gabriella was known for her passionate and expressive playing. She had a deep understanding of the music she played and was able to convey its emotional depth to her audiences. She was also known for her technical skill and virtuosity, and her performances were always highly polished and precise. In addition to her career as a performer, Gabriella was also a respected teacher. She taught at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and also gave masterclasses throughout Europe and the United States. Her students included many successful musicians, and she was known for her rigorous and demanding teaching style. Gabriella received many awards and honors throughout her career. In 1956, she was awarded the Kossuth Prize, the highest honor for artists in Hungary. She was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In 1988, she was awarded the Bartók-Pásztory Prize, named after the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók and his wife, the pianist Ditta Pásztory. Gabriella continued to perform and teach until her death on December 17, 2012, at the age of 94.

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