Pánczél, Tamás
Pánczél, Tamás
Member of the orchestra since 1997. He graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, where he specialised in violin and composition. Tamás is a teacher of music theory, a composer and a piano accompanist. He works at the Primary Art School of Bornemisza Péter Secondary School. His favourite composer is Bach, his beloved compositions are St. John Passion, Passacaglia in C minor and Chaconne in D minor.
He has been married for 23 years. His wife is a teacher of Hungarian language and literature, they raise three children. Their daughter is a second-year medical student, their two sons are students at Bornemisza Péter Secondary School.
Tamás is a devote Christian who believes in the Bible, the universal divine revelation. He considers J.S. Bach’s art to be the most intense meeting point of faith and (classical) music. Probably that is the reason why he feels Bach’s music so close to himself, besides its inimitable uniqueness from a professional point of view, of course.
“I’ve found an enthusiastic performing base here that encourages my composing activities. I’d like to thank the orchestra for having performed almost a dozen of my pieces. Supportive feedback from colleagues has inspired me to further pursue composing. On this anniversary I wish the Dohnányi Orchestra can maintain its favourable position achieved in music life and even upgrade it in mid- or long-term. What’s more, I hope that a high professional standard rather than attempts to gain popularity remains at the core of this position.”
First violin
Nagy, Szilvia
Nagy, Szilvia
Member of the orchestra since 2001. In the meantime she spent three years in the Pannon Philharmonic.
Szilvia has favourite musical periods such as baroque and romantic, and adores jazz as well. Prefers listening to big band rather than classical music.
Her favourite pieces to play are symphonies by Brahms and Tchaikovsky, and she names Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker as the number one composition to listen to.
“I love this orchestra because we are a team of selected individuals, we are basically a big family headed by the Chief; we love and accept each other, and all that is essential for quality music making. I wish us many more years together, rich in happiness and beautiful music!”
First violin
Kristó-Varga, Nikolett
Kristó-Varga, Nikolett
Member of the orchestra since 2003.
She has a great many favourite composers, her favourite compositions are Piazzola: Libertango, Bizet: Carmen and Paul Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
She has two children.
Nikolett considers herself to be an honest, fair, thorough and cheerful person.
‘I love playing in the Dohnányi Orchestra because we represent so many different styles and the vibe here is incredible! On our jubilee (in 2018 – the ed.) I wish for world peace and a great abundance of music! And let’s stay together for millions of years like this, being “unseriously serious”!’
First violin
Baranyai, Gábor
Baranyai, Gábor
Official member of the orchestra since 2009 but he has been playing with us since 1998 with almost no interruption. Besides being an orchestra member he also teaches at one of the music schools of Szent István Király Secondary School and Primary Art School. His favourite composer above all is J.S. Bach but he cannot get enough of the works of Rachmaninov, Brahms, Dohnányi and Richard Strauss, either. His favourite compositions are Bach: Goldberg Variations and the symphonies of Rachmaninov, Saint-Säens and Dohnányi as well as mainstream jazz of the 1930s and the1980s.
He is married and father of two children, Laura and Dániel.
‘I believe you can be truly happy only when you feel reassured standing on your own two feet both in your family and professional life. I am fortunate enough to have this feeling playing in Dohnányi Orchestra, constantly being inspired by Gábor Hollerung and enjoying the love from my friends. Who would long for more?
On our jubilee (in 2018 – the ed.) I wish us good health, attentiveness
First violin
Balog, Barbara
Balog, Barbara
Member of the orchestra since 2014. She completed her university studies at the Academy of Music, Budapest in April 2017 and played with the Dohnányi Orchestra at her diploma concert. She currently attends the Department of Teacher Education of the Academy of Music where she will earn her degree this spring.
Favourite composers: Bach and Beethoven.
Many in her family play music too, both her parents learnt how to play the piano and the organ. Although they did not pursue a career in music, she has enjoyed their unconditional support from an early age. She was encouraged to decide on her own which instrument to choose and received plenty of assistance from them in early years of practising. Barbara is immensely grateful to her parents for being right behind her throughout the often times demanding and challenging school years and for having inspired her to reach her goals ever since.
’I greatly appreciate the high quality work we do here at the orchestra and treasure this close community in which our conductor, Gábor plays a central role. What I value most is that we are able to co-operate efficiently, whether as individuals or being in smaller or larger groups.
On this anniversary I wish for many more beautiful concerts to come both for the audiences and us. It is also my desire to bring classical music closer to a wider audience, with special focus on small children.’
First violin
Gazda, Bence
Gazda, Bence
Member of the orchestra since autumn 2012. He is also member of the Budapest Klezmer Band and Swing a la Django. In both ensembles he plays the violin, sings and is a creative partner. On top of all that, he is engaged in numerous versatile activities and tasks. Last year, for instance, Bence acted in a play called Trio, playing one of the protagonists, a violinist. The play is still on, also featuring Ditta Rohmann and Mariann Tallián.
Their family business called Tercrokon Művészeti Bt. is more than 20 years old.
Bence thinks it important to mention that he plays the bass guitar in a wonderful band, Kiscsoport, performing music for young children.
He has no favourite composer or composition but finds some beauty in everything ranging from radiator noise to contemporary music.
He is married to Flóra Takács with whom they have been a couple since 2011.
‘This tight community of ours is certainly unparalleled among symphony orchestras in Hungary. Dohnányi Orchestra is basically a big family. We can rely on each other on stage, in the rehearsal room and in the outside world. What else can I wish for on this jubilee (2018 – the ed.) than another successful 25 years? And if I manage to live to that time, I’ll wish for another 50!’
First violin
Berán, Gábor
Berán, Gábor
Member of the orchestra since 2001.
Favourite composer: Béla Bartók
Favourite composition: Beethoven’s String Quartet in E-flat major Op. 127
He was voted ’Musician of the Season 2015-16’ by the orchestra.
‘BDO is an open-minded and versatile ensemble with a friendly atmosphere. On our 25th anniversary (2018 – the ed.) I wish for increasingly intensive rehearsals and many more beautiful concerts to come!’
First violin
Harsányi, Elina
Harsányi, Elina
Member of the orchestra since 2006.
Favourite composers: Bach and Bartók.
She was voted Musician of the Season 2013-14 by the members of the orchestra.
‘In life I’m interested in highs and lows of the soul. I love learning. I approach the concept of harmony from various angles: sometimes from body consciousness, at other times from spiritual or intellectual directions. When not making music and playing the violin I take courses in order to understand and accept myself and the world, and to find pleasure in it. I wish everyone a loving and caring collaboration.’
First violin
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