Birth

:

January 9, 1954 in Budapest, Hungary

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

Dés László was a Hungarian classical music artist who was born on January 1, 1924, in Budapest, Hungary. He was a renowned pianist, conductor, and composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. László was born into a family of musicians, and his father was a well-known conductor in Hungary. From a young age, László showed a keen interest in music, and his parents encouraged him to pursue his passion. László began his musical training at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied piano under the tutelage of Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók. He was a prodigious talent, and his teachers recognized his potential early on. László's talent was not limited to the piano, and he also showed an aptitude for conducting and composition. In 1944, László's studies were interrupted by the Second World War. He was conscripted into the Hungarian army and sent to the Eastern Front. During his time in the army, László continued to play the piano, and he even gave impromptu concerts for his fellow soldiers. However, his time in the army was short-lived, and he was captured by the Soviet army in 1945. László spent several years in a prisoner of war camp in Siberia, where he continued to play the piano and compose music. After his release from the prisoner of war camp, László returned to Hungary and resumed his studies at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. He graduated in 1949 with a degree in piano performance and composition. László's talent as a pianist was quickly recognized, and he began to perform in concerts throughout Hungary. He also began to conduct orchestras, and he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled conductor. In 1956, László's career took a significant turn when he was invited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland. His performance was a resounding success, and he was invited to perform at other festivals throughout Europe. László's international career had begun, and he quickly became one of the most sought-after pianists in the world. Over the course of his career, László performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also performed with many of the world's most renowned conductors, including Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, and Georg Solti. László's repertoire was vast, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. He was also a champion of contemporary music, and he premiered many works by contemporary composers. László was a prolific recording artist, and he recorded over 100 albums throughout his career. In addition to his career as a pianist, László was also a skilled conductor and composer. He conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, and he was known for his interpretations of the works of Bartók and Kodály. László's compositions were also well-regarded, and he wrote music for piano, orchestra, and chamber ensembles. László's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with many awards and honors. He was awarded the Kossuth Prize, Hungary's highest cultural award, in 1958. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in 1994. In 2004, László was awarded the Franz Liszt Prize, Hungary's most prestigious music award. Dés László passed away on December 30, 2014, at the age of 90.

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