Artistic Director

"....In the Queen Elizabeth Hall the orchestra's best qualities were on display. Each section had an unusual homogenity of tone, with every part equally matched. The ensemble was nearly faultless and leader János Rolla had encouraged a wide range of bowing and tone production. Overall, the performance had an easy grace that was entirely apt..."

/Financial Times, Richard Joseph/

Leader and founding member of the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra and one of Hungary's foremost violinist, János Rolla has been the artistic director of the ensemble since 1979, since the death of the former leader, Frigyes Sándor.János Rolla obtained his degree in violin in the Franz Liszt Music Academy of Budapest in 1969 where he was one of the student of the world famous violinist, Dénes Kovács.He has acquired fame in the world's prestigious concert halls, primarily as a chamber musician but also as a soloist. In appreciation for his work in spreading Hungarian musical culture at home and abroad, he was awarded the 'Kossuth Prize', in 1985 which is the most significant distinction given by the Hungarian government.In addition to this, in 1992 Maestro Rolla received the "Chevalier de la Culture" decoration from the French governement equivalent to the "Legion of Honour" and in 1994 he was given the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic, the „Commander’s Cross” by the president of the republic.Mr Rolla is the founder of the Festival of Zemplén in Hungary and he was also merited to become a freeman of the Hungarian city of Sárospatak in August 1996.Since August 2004 he possesses the „Commander's Cross with Star” as a higher decoration of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic. In January 2006 he received the major prize of the Pro Renovanda Cultura Hungariae Foundation.Mr Rolla always followed his aim to show and make known the famous Hungarian string traditions in the world. His work and enthusiasm are also presented by the numerous confessions of the solists with whom the orchestra played together during these decades:

"This is my favorite chamber orchestra - I love making music with them! We have had some wunderful concerts together, and I always marvel at the virtuosity of the individual players, the incredible speed and accuracy of their strings, and the warmth of their sound. They are great ambassadors for the music of Hungary, and I hope they will go from strength to strength."

/Vadim Repin, violinist/