Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

The Budapest Festival Horn Quartet is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their unique sound for over three decades. The quartet was founded in 1982 by four talented horn players who shared a passion for chamber music and a desire to showcase the versatility of the French horn. The founding members of the Budapest Festival Horn Quartet were Zoltán Szöke, József Bazsinka, János Gabler, and Béla Horváth. All four musicians were graduates of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary, and had extensive experience performing with orchestras and other ensembles. From the beginning, the quartet set out to explore the full range of the French horn, from its rich, warm tones to its bright, piercing notes. They also sought to expand the repertoire for horn quartet by commissioning new works and arranging existing pieces for their unique instrumentation. One of the quartet's early highlights was their performance at the 1984 International Horn Society Symposium in Banff, Canada. Their dynamic and expressive playing earned them critical acclaim and helped to establish them as one of the premier horn ensembles in the world. Over the years, the Budapest Festival Horn Quartet has performed at major concert halls and festivals around the globe, including Carnegie Hall in New York, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Salzburg Festival. They have also collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians of our time, including pianist Martha Argerich and conductor Sir Neville Marriner. In addition to their live performances, the quartet has recorded numerous albums, showcasing their virtuosity and versatility. Their recordings have received widespread critical acclaim and have earned them several awards, including the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d'Or. One of the quartet's most notable achievements was their commissioning of György Ligeti's "Horn Trio," which they premiered in 1982. The piece, which was written specifically for the quartet, is now considered a modern classic and has been performed by horn ensembles around the world. Another highlight of the quartet's career was their collaboration with composer and conductor Peter Eötvös on his opera "Three Sisters," which premiered at the Lyon Opera in 1998. The quartet played a prominent role in the opera, providing a haunting and atmospheric accompaniment to the singers. Throughout their career, the Budapest Festival Horn Quartet has remained committed to promoting the French horn as a solo and chamber music instrument. They have inspired countless young musicians to take up the horn and have helped to expand the repertoire for horn ensembles. Today, the quartet continues to perform and record, with founding members Zoltán Szöke and József Bazsinka still at the helm. They are joined by horn players Gábor Homoki and Zoltán Székelyhidi, who bring their own unique talents and perspectives to the ensemble. In conclusion, the Budapest Festival Horn Quartet is a remarkable ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Their dedication to the French horn and their commitment to exploring its full range of possibilities have earned them a well-deserved place in the pantheon of great chamber music ensembles.

More....