Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Hungary

Birth

:

1955 in Budapest, Hungary

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

Tibor Szemzö is a Hungarian composer, musician, and filmmaker who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 19, 1955, in Budapest, Hungary, Szemzö grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Szemzö was exposed to classical music and began playing the piano and violin. Szemzö studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he received a degree in composition. During his time at the academy, he was influenced by the works of Hungarian composers such as Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. He also studied electronic music and became interested in the use of technology in music composition. After completing his studies, Szemzö began working as a composer and musician. He collaborated with various artists and musicians, including the Hungarian rock band, Vágtázó Halottkémek. In the 1980s, he formed his own band, Group 180, which combined classical music with electronic and experimental sounds. Szemzö's compositions are known for their unique blend of classical and contemporary elements. He often incorporates electronic music, field recordings, and found sounds into his works. His music is also characterized by its use of unconventional instruments, such as toy pianos and bicycle wheels. One of Szemzö's most notable works is his opera, The Marquis of Keith. The opera, which premiered in 1985, is based on the life of George Keith, a Scottish nobleman who converted to Catholicism and became a Jesuit priest. The opera features a mix of classical and electronic music and incorporates elements of theater and film. In addition to his work as a composer, Szemzö is also a filmmaker. He has directed several documentaries and experimental films, many of which feature his own music. His films often explore themes of memory, identity, and the relationship between sound and image. Szemzö's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1991, he received the Kossuth Prize, the highest honor for artists in Hungary. He has also been awarded the Béla Bartók-Ditta Pásztory Prize and the Erkel Prize. Today, Szemzö continues to compose music and create films. His works have been performed and exhibited around the world, and he remains a prominent figure in the Hungarian music scene.

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