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MORE THAN 1OO YEARS OF HISTORY

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Concerto Budapest - with excellent musicians, lot of talented young people among them – is one of the most prestigious orchestras of Hungary. The predecessor of the ensemble was founded in 1907 and after name changes the orchestra has been called Concerto Budapest since 2009. The contemporary music pieces, children’s and youth programs make the classical repertoire more colourful.

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ANDRÁS KELLER

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In 2007 András Keller, a worldwide well-known and respected violinist and founder of the Keller String Quartet (which has been operating since 1987) was appointed to the post of artistic director and the chief conductor of the orchestra. He used to study at the Liszt Academy where his teachers were Dénes Kovács, Ferenc Rados and György Kurtág; in Salzburg he gained experience as a student of Sándor Végh.

In February 2003 András Keller made his debut as conductor of the Orchestra di Padova e Veneto. As both soloist and chamber musician he has appeared in the world’s leading concert halls including Musikverein Concert Haus (Vienna), Royal Albert Hall, Barbican (London), Berlin Philharmonie Concert Haus (Berlin), the Accademia di Santa Cecilia (Rome), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center (New York).

His appointment in 2007 brought about a major change in the ensemble’s life, as in addition to the expanding classical repertoire Concerto Budapest has a strong openness to find new ways to its audience through the presentation of contemporary works and composers.

András Keller’s dedicated artistic leadership is a guarantee for not only the significant expansion of repertoire but also for such highly acclaimed and world famous Hungarian musicians as Dezső Ránki, Zoltán Kocsis, Dénes Várjon, Barnabás Kelemen or Miklós Perényi, who have been guests of the orchestra. In the past few years not only Hungarian but also numerous outstanding foreign artists have played with Concerto Budapest: Evgeni Koroliov, Gidon Kremer, Gilles Apap, Kim Kashkashian, Sir James Galway, Isabelle Faust, Khatia Buniatishvili or this season Lera Auerbach, Akiko Suwanai, Thomas Hampson and Steven Isserlis.

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RESIDENT ORCHESTRA OF THE LISZT ACADEMYPh

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Being the resident orchestra of the world-famous Liszt Academy, Concerto Budapest also gives an opportunity to young musicians - in addition to and/or after academic studies - to experience to be a participant of orchestral work and member of a high-quality ensemble.

CONCERTSThe ensemble has yearly more than 60 concerts in the greatest concert venues of Budapest -especially in the Liszt Academy and the Palace of Arts (MÜPA) or Budapest Music Center – the latter is a place for chamber music pieces, contemporary and rarely played works. Outdoor concerts become a tradition performed by Concerto Budapest each summer.

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CONCERTO BUDAPEST ABROADBesides numerous successful Hungarian concerts, Concerto Budapest became a well-known and respected player on the international classical music scene thanks to the regular tours throughout the world. In the recent years the ensemble has given concerts in major cities of Germany and the United States, in France, Spain and China, but many more invitations have been and is received, which reflects the orchestra’s growing popularity abroad.

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TALENTThe leader of the orchestra, András Keller pays close attention to training talented young people: he has been the Head of Chamber Music Department of Liszt Academy since 2012, in addition gives master classes throughout the world. Since 2014 an open university program series – called Concerto Master School – has been launched providing useful practical education for prospecting or professional musicians in addition to traditional academic classes.

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CHILDREN´S AND YOUTH PROGRAMSConcerto Budapest – in addition to many other activities and responsibilities – keeps in mind the importance of music-loving young people and families: the ensemble offers meaningful and exciting entertainment for the whole family through children and youth concert series as well as occasional events. The one-week summer music camp – with the enthusiastic help of the orchestra’s musicians – teaches the love of music and at the same time helps those who are interested in choosing instrumental music as a career.

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ZENEHÁZ [MUSIC HOUSE]In a tiny little street of District 9 in Budapest you can find the Concerto Budapest Zeneház (Music House), the home of the orchestra, which - thanks to its excellent acoustic – is a right place for rehearsals, smaller chamber concerts and children’s and youth programs.

H-1094 Budapest, Páva u. 10-12. • Phone: (+36-1) 215-5770

www.concertobudapest.hu