The Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1985 in the historic and musically rich city of Veszprém, under the direction of violinist and Bartók–Pásztory Award laureate Péter Kováts. Their repertoire spans from Baroque and Classical works to major 20th-century compositions and contemporary music. The orchestra has premiered several works in Hungary and worldwide.
They have performed with many distinguished Hungarian and international soloists and conductors, such as Tamás Vásáry, Zoltán Kocsis, Gidon Kremer, Vadim Repin, Mischa Maisky, Glenn Dicterow, Jenő Jandó, Balázs Fülei, Miklós Perényi, Andrea Rost, Ilona Tokody, Kristóf Baráti, Barnabás Kelemen, Vilmos Szabadi, and János Bálint. Their collaborations include productions with the Győr Ballet and numerous oratorio performances with choirs from Hungary and abroad.
International tours have taken them across nearly every European country, as well as North, Central, and South America. They have appeared in prestigious venues such as the Verdi Hall in Milan, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The ensemble frequently performs with jazz musicians and artists from the world of popular music, including Jacques Loussier and the Play Bach Trio, Joe Muranyi, Bobby McFerrin, Roby Lakatos, Mark O’Connor, Ferenc Snétberger, Tibor Tátrai, and Fred Hersch.
Their concerts have been broadcast by Hungarian Radio and Television, France 3, several American TV and radio stations, and the Slovenian National Radio and Television. Their first CD was released by Hungaroton Classic, and since then, they have recorded multiple CDs and DVDs in Hungary, the UK, the USA, and Slovenia.
In recognition of their artistic work, the orchestra received the Bartók–Pásztory Prize in 2010.
Kristóf Baráti
„Kristóf Baráti is not only the most talented violinist of his generation, but of several generations. A true soloist!”
(Ida Haendel)
Born in Budapest and raised largely in Venezuela, Kristóf Baráti began playing the violin at the age of five and performed as a soloist with Venezuela’s leading orchestras by age eight. At eleven, he gave a recital at the Festival de Radio France in Montpellier.
He studied at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest in the Special Talents Department under Vilmos Tátrai and Miklós Szenthelyi. He won the “Lipizer” Competition in Italy and placed second at the Long-Thibaud Competition in Paris. A major breakthrough came in 1997 at the Queen Elisabeth Competition, where he received third prize and the audience award as the youngest finalist.
Baráti won the Best Performer Award at the Elba Festival in 2006, the Junior Prima Prize in 2009, and the 6th International Paganini Violin Competition in Moscow in 2010. He has worked with renowned conductors such as Kurt Masur, Yoel Levi, Marek Janowski, Jiří Bělohlávek, Yuri Bashmet, Yuri Temirkanov, Andrew Manze, Zoltán Kocsis, Iván Fischer, and Eiji Oue.
His chamber music partners include Natalia Gutman, Mario Brunello, Gábor Boldoczki, Evgeny Koroliov, and Michel Portal. His recordings for Berlin Classics include Paganini’s first two violin concertos and Bach’s six sonatas and partitas.
He plays the 1703 “Lady Harmsworth” Stradivari violin, on loan from the Stradivari Society of Chicago.
János Balázs
„Anyone who has heard János Balázs perform has undoubtedly experienced a compelling and utterly unique concert. He brings 21st-century interpretations of classical music to life with captivating artistry and the highest level of technical mastery. Gifted with a rare ability to touch his audience, he effortlessly dissolves the barrier between performer and listener. His uniquely themed concerts and bold programming choices have the power to engage large audiences and young listeners alike — all in service of making classical music more widely appreciated.”
In 2019, at the age of 31, János Balázs received the Kossuth Prize and was named a Young Steinway Artist. That same year, he was appointed associate professor at the Liszt Academy’s piano department. In 2021, he became a corresponding member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts.
Balázs is known for his ability to connect with audiences through deeply emotional performances, breaking the barrier between artist and listener. His innovative concert themes and charismatic programming have drawn in large and young audiences, all in service of classical music outreach.
Critics praise the refinement of his playing, the richness of his piano tone, the breadth of his dynamic range, and his extraordinary technical ability. His concerts often evoke the golden age of 19th-century pianism, reminiscent of Liszt and Chopin.
He is a regular guest at top venues including the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Cologne Philharmonie, Budapest’s Liszt Academy and Müpa, as well as Cité de la Musique, Palau de la Musica, Barbican Centre, Wiener Konzerthaus, and the Royal Conservatory.
Klára Kolonits
A dramatic coloratura soprano and chamber singer of the Hungarian State Opera, Klára Kolonits is one of Hungary’s leading interpreters of bel canto. She has received numerous accolades, including the Kossuth Prize, Liszt Prize, and induction into the Society of Immortals.
Born in Budapest in 1969, she studied under Katalin Schultz and graduated in 1995 from the Liszt Academy’s Teacher Training Institute as a student of Zsuzsa Forrai. She also participated in masterclasses with Anne Reynolds, Walter Berry, and Ileana Cotrubas.
Kolonits began her career at the Csokonai Theatre in Debrecen, later performing in Szeged and Szolnok. Between 1998 and 2001, she was a member of the Budapest Operetta Theatre. She joined the Hungarian State Opera in 2002, debuting as Fiordiligi.
She has performed across Europe—in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Romania, Croatia, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Finland. Her repertoire includes bel canto, verismo, and classical opera roles.
She is also an accomplished rose breeder and tends to over 300 rose bushes in her garden.
László Fenyő
„At first glance he may seem like a world-class gentleman, but he is a deep-feeling soul and a loyal friend. His cello sound is unique, balancing instinct and intellect in perfect harmony.”
(Katalin Kokas)
Born in 1975 in Debrecen, László Fenyő studied with László Mező and David Geringas. He has won top prizes at major international competitions, including first prize at the 2004 Pablo Casals Cello Competition in Kronberg, as well as awards in Geneva, Paris (Rostropovich), New Zealand, and Hungary.
He served as principal cellist of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra for 11 years and became professor at the Karlsruhe University of Music in 2012. He regularly gives masterclasses worldwide.
He has performed with orchestras such as the Singapore Symphony, Korean National Symphony, Beethoven Orchester Bonn, Staatskapelle Weimar, Lancaster Symphony (USA), Shanghai Symphony, Christchurch Philharmonic (New Zealand), and Bogotá Philharmonic. He plays a 1695 cello made by Matteo Goffriller.
Anima Musicae Chamber Orchestra – The Soul of Music
Founded in 2010, the Anima Musicae Chamber Orchestra has grown from a creative string collective into one of Hungary’s leading chamber ensembles, performing in renowned European venues and festivals.
The Junior Prima and Artisjus Prize-winning ensemble has appeared at the Musikverein in Vienna, Berlin Philharmonie, Leipzig Gewandhaus, and maintains concert series at the Liszt Academy and Nádor Hall in Budapest.
They have performed with world-renowned artists including Emőke Baráth, Kristóf Baráti, Gergely Bogányi, Sir James Galway, David Grimal, Barnabás Kelemen, Sergey Nakariakov, Miklós Perényi, Ferenc Rados, János Rolla, Shlomo Mintz, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Kirill Troussov, Dénes Várjon, István Várdai, and Tamás Vásáry.
They are regular guests at Hungarian and international festivals and serve as ensemble-in-residence for the Festival Academy Budapest and the Saint Gellért Festival.
Their recordings have been released by Hungaroton, NAXOS, and Ongaku Records. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes Baroque to 20th-century works, with a special focus on contemporary music: they have premiered nearly 80 new pieces dedicated to the ensemble.
They are also committed to music education, reaching thousands of children annually through independent and Philharmonia Hungary-sponsored concerts.
Programme subject to change.