 |
The “Budapest gypsy symphony orchestra”, in Hungarian “Szaztagú
Cinanyzenekar” (100 – head Gypsy Orchestra) is the worlds largest
gypsy symphony orchestra. It has been founded in 1985, when Sandor
Jaroka, at the time Hungary’s most famous “primas” (gypsy soloist)
died. All Hungarian gypsy musicians had come to his funeral. After
the ceremony they begun to play. The orchestra had been born out
of that improvised moment.
The Orchestra has already had enormous success over the last years
in many world – famous concert halls and festivals, notably in
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italia, Japan, Latvia, Monaco,
Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey
Until his tragic death in December 1997 Laszlo Berki, the conductor
of the National Hungarian State Ensemble, was leader of the Orchestra.
He wrote most of the orchestra’s arrangements. With is outstanding
artistic personality he has left a remarkable stamp on the orchestra.
It is his merit that Hungary’s best musicians are members of the
orchestra.
|
 |
Names like Lakatos, Lendvai Csocsi, Boross,
Berki – all members of the orchestra – are the cream of the Hungarian
gypsy musician dynasties. |
 |
Sándor
Buffó Rigó is now the Artistic Director and the leader
of the orchestra with Joszef Lendvai Csocsi,
first primas. President of the orchestra is Joszef Raduly, who is
also the representative of the ethnic minorities in the Hungarian
parliament. |
One of
the most outstanding members of the orchestra is the cimbalom virtuoso
Oszkar Okros. He is the best player of this instrument in the world.
|
 |
The
orchestra consists of 50 violins, 10 violas, 10 cellos, 11 doublebasses,
9 clarinets and 6 cimbaloms. Its repertoire not only consists
of the famous Hungarian csardas – music, but also of classical
pieces, like the Hungarian Rhapsodies by Liszt, Hungarian Dances
by Brahms, pieces by members of the Strauss – family and rural
Hungarian folk music.
Each appearance of the orchestra has an incomparable effect on
the audiences: Dressed in colorful, traditional dresses the orchestra
is much larger than most classical orchestras! Their earthy, native
energy thrills everybody. Notable also, that the entire orchestra
plays by heart, without score.
Quick changes of rhythm, of color, harmony and style are found
in every piece they play, extraordinary variations, rich harmony
and an instinctive feeling for the unison of the ensemble, for
seamless transitions are innate abilities of these musicians.
All this shows from how deep inside their musicality comes -one
has the impression to hear 100 Paganinis!
|
 |
Since
its foundation the orchestra every year organizes a “Primas – Competition”
in Budapest. The winners are made members of the orchestra. So the
orchestra takes care of its own musical future. |
|
