Awards on the occasion of the National Holiday

In recognition of his outstanding professional work, the Széchenyi prize and Ferenc Erkel prize winning musicologist, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, colleague of the Institute of Musicology of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for the Humanities and Professor Emeritus of the Ferenc Liszt Music University, László Somfai was awarded the Civil Commanders Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic. In recognition of her outstanding work, Ferenc Liszt Prize Winning choirmaster and member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts, Éva Kollár was awarded the Civil Officers Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic. For his outstanding work, violinist and university teacher in the Strings Faculty of the Ferenc Liszt Music University István Kertész was awarded the Civil Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary. Also, the Ferenc Liszt prize winning conductor, choirmaster of the National Choir and teacher at the Woodwind Faculty (who in March 2015 was also awarded the Bartók-Pásztory award by the Liszt Academy Foundation), Matyás Antal was bestowed the Civil Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic; flautist Soma Salamon, currently a student at the Ferenc Liszt Music University as well as zither player Gábor Dragony who graduated from our institution this year, were both awarded the Young Master of Folk Music award for their outstanding achievements as creators and performers by the Minister for Human Resources Zoltán Balog, on August 19th 2015.

Photo: MTI / Noémi Bruczák

Also on the occasion of the national holiday on August 20th 2015, the composer and conductor Péter Eötvös was given the highest state award, the Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen, by the President of the Republic, János Áder, „in recognition of his oeuvre as a composer, which has been honoured with numerous international awards and which alongside exceptionally popular works in instrumental genres, has enriched the contemporary operatic literature with outstanding creations (…) as well as in acknowledgement of his activities supporting the training of young composers and conductors.” Commending Péter Eötvös, President János Áder described how throughout his life, the composer sensed behind him the „following wind” of the rich Hungarian musical heritage. According to the President, Péter Eötvös's talent harmoniously combines the respect for the old and a desire for the new and he creates music which does not aim to „escape” the influences of the past centuries but draws on everything to address the present. President Áder said that in the person of Péter Eötvös – in common with Ferenc Liszt and Béla Bartók before him – a Hungarian musician is again speaking in a European voice, he finds his resonance everywhere and astounds his contemporaries. He is the heir to Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. His works probe the depths of human feeling and he has conquered the stages and concert halls of the world, but his heart still draws him home. The award came as a surprise to the composer because he feels that he is not the best known of Hungarian artists. „By the same token, I have taken part in highest level of musical productions internationally, as both conductor and composer.  So I am glad that this award acknowledges my oeuvre” he said. He noted that he is only known to a relatively narrow circle of professionals since contemporary music is not one of the more popular genres. The Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen offers the opportunity for his work to be appreciated by a wider circle. As for his current work, he explained that he has just finished his oratorio Halleluja which has a text written by Péter Eszterházy. The composition will be premiered at the Salzburg Festival in 2016 by the Vienna Philharmonic and the Hungarian Radio Chorus. The oratorio will also be performed, with the composer conducting, in November 2016 in both Vienna and Budapest.

MTI / zeneakademia.hu