“You became members of a big family that make music history” – The 2021/2022 academic year at the Liszt Academy has begun

At the event, President Dr Andrea Vigh said in her speech that in November 1875, seventy people applied to the then newly established institution, and thirty-eight of them started their studies, while this year more than a thousand applicants submitted their application, and about one hundred and fifty became first-year students. “When you became students of this institution, you also became, metaphorically speaking, members of a big family that truly make music history,” she added, mentioning the founding father Franz Liszt, as well as Ferenc Erkel, Ernő Dohnányi, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály. They all preserved and created a tradition that does not allow compromise and that is important to live up to. She stressed that by entering the Academy of Music we are obliged to leave mediocrity behind. “Obviously, not everyone can become Béla Bartók or Zoltán Kocsis, but it is our duty to strive for excellence. On behalf of our teachers, I can promise you that we will do everything we can to help you,” she stressed. She urged both new and senior students to use their talents, but not to abuse them. She added that for the Lisz Academy to have not only a dazzling past, but also a rich future, it is important not to compromise high art and the ideas of Liszt, Bartók and Kodály.

Photo: Liszt Academy / Gábor Valuska

Speaking about the past year, which has also been complicated by the epidemic, the president said that the Liszt Academy is at the forefront of developing digital education, although for a musician, nothing can replace face-to-face live education. She said that in-person education is planned for the school year starting now, but that it requires a high level of discipline and compliance with health recommendations.

The president also spoke about the highlights of the season that has just started: the 4th Éva Marton International Singing Competition, the concerts of the World Eucharistic Congress held at the Liszt Academy, the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition, the Bartók World Competition in October, the Liszt Birthday Concert on 22 October, which this year will also commemorate the centenary of György Cziffra’s birth, and the first ever Liszt Fest, which will take place in October as part of the Liszt Academy's future strategy, the National Franz Liszt Programme. Dr Andrea Vigh also spoke about the concert celebrating the founding of the Liszt Academy on 14 November, where Ádám Medveczky will conduct the University Symphony Orchestra, Kodály’s birth anniversary on 16 December, and the series of concerts to be held in the Grand Hall and the Solti Hall. In this respect, she advised the students to take advantage of the fact that where they study is not only one of the world’s most prestigious music academies but also a unique and exciting concert venue, where global stars are regular guest performers.

Photo: Liszt Academy / Gábor Valuska

After the president’s speech, awards were presented for outstanding achievements during the previous academic year. In 2021, the Apor Héthy Scholarship for the youngest generation, administered by the Liszt Academy Foundation, was awarded to Teo Gertler (Prof. Eszter Perényi’s student at the School of Exceptional Young Talents) and Zoltán Schwartz (Prof. Miklós Szenthelyi’s MA 1st year student), and the award was presented by Dr Csaba Kutnyánszky, Vice President for Education. At the ceremony, the administration thanked Mariann Balassa for her many years of humble service as Secretary of the Foundation.

This time the Andor Neszlényi Prize for the most outstanding composition was awarded to Gergő Patrik Oláh, MA 2nd year student of composing, by Dr Andrea Vigh and Gyula Fekete, Vice President for International and Scientific Affairs and Head of the Composition Department.

At the ceremony, the shortlist for the 2021/2022 National Higher Education Scholarship was also announced.

As is tradition, the first-year students took an oath at the opening ceremony, after which Dr Andrea Vigh officially opened the 146th academic year of the Liszt Academy.