Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

1904 in Hungary

Death

:

October 5, 2001 in Banff, AB, Canada

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Zoltán Székely was a Hungarian violinist and composer who was born on February 21, 1903, in Budapest, Hungary. He was the son of a violinist and began playing the violin at a young age. He studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he was a student of Jenő Hubay, a renowned Hungarian violinist and composer. Székely made his debut as a soloist at the age of 16, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented young violinists in Hungary. He went on to perform throughout Europe, and he became known for his virtuosic playing and his passionate interpretations of classical music. In 1928, Székely formed the Hungarian String Quartet, which quickly became one of the most celebrated string quartets in the world. The quartet consisted of Székely on first violin, Sándor Végh on second violin, Dénes Koromzay on viola, and János Scholz on cello. The quartet's performances were known for their precision, clarity, and emotional intensity, and they quickly gained a following among classical music enthusiasts. The Hungarian String Quartet went on to perform throughout Europe and the United States, and they recorded numerous albums that are still considered classics of the string quartet repertoire. They were particularly known for their performances of the works of Béla Bartók, a Hungarian composer who was a close friend of Székely's. Székely was also a composer in his own right, and he wrote a number of works for the violin, including a violin concerto and several chamber music pieces. His compositions were known for their lyricism and their incorporation of Hungarian folk music. In addition to his work with the Hungarian String Quartet, Székely was also a sought-after soloist and chamber musician. He performed with some of the most renowned orchestras in the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. He also collaborated with other celebrated musicians, including pianist Arthur Rubinstein and cellist Pablo Casals. Székely's career was interrupted by World War II, during which he was forced to flee Hungary and live in exile in Switzerland. He continued to perform and compose during this time, and he eventually returned to Hungary after the war ended. In 1956, Székely was awarded the Kossuth Prize, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a Hungarian artist. He continued to perform and compose until his death in 2001 at the age of 98. Today, Székely is remembered as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, and his recordings and compositions continue to be celebrated by classical music enthusiasts around the world. His legacy lives on through the Hungarian String Quartet, which disbanded in 1972 but whose recordings continue to be widely admired.

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