Guest Artists

"An additional joy of our joint music playing comes from the identical „breathing” we produce at rehearsals, concerts, and that comes from our common music past. Although they belong to a generation younger by 10-12 years, our knowledge comes from the same source, we gained from the same spring the high standard Hungarian music culture."

"Having worked with them on a few occasions I have been inspired by the seriousness and by the musicality of all its members and I have enjoyed making music with them."

"Ce sont de parfait musiciens qui aiment se retrouver pour les répétitions avec beaucoup d’ardeur. Ceci est dû à l’inspiration de Janos Rolla qui est non seulement un violiniste virtuose de premier ordre mais aussi un très grand artiste. Il a su leur communiquer la joie de faire de La bonne musique et il règne une atmosphère très amicale aussi bien pendant les répétitions que pendant les voyages et les concerts.

Je dois dire que pour moi je n’ai jamais encore rencontré un orchestre de chambre qui m’ait autant comblé. Voyager avec eux, répéter avec eux, donner des concerts et puis, à la faveur des repas pris ensemble après les concerts m’a donné l’impression que faire de la musique peut et doit être toujours une source de joie commune. C’est pour cela que tout ce que j’ai partagé avec cet orchestre aussi bien les tournées de concerts que les nombreux disques que nous avons gravés ensemble reste pour moi un des meilleurs souvenirs que j’ai de ma vie musicale.

Vive l’Orchestre de Chambre Franz Liszt!"

"My career as a pianist has such strong links to the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, that paralleled with links to no other symphonic ensemble. I can safely state, I grew up with them and played with them in numerous occasions in this country and abroad alike.

We spoke the same language as far as music is concerned, therefore our common rehearsals did not mean a deadly serious work, but rather the trying-out and control of our ideas about works mostly similar to each other, true co-thinking and playing music in total harmony. In their company I am completely at ease on stage, since I know, I do not have to fear surprises, I can completely rely upon their preparedness and sense of music."

"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."

"Ich selbst hatte die Freude, mit dem Franz Liszt Kammerorchester bei vielfältigen Gelegenheiten zusammen zu arbeiten. Oft in Budapest, aber auch in Deutschland und auf einer Tournee in Spanien. Immer waren dies unvergessliche Momente einer engagierten und auf die Aussage der Musik bezogenen Zusammenarbeit. Immer garantierten die ausgezeichneten Spieler einer vorzügliche Qualität. Immer fühlten sich alle Mitglieder des Ensembles für das Ganze mit verantwortlich.

Wir sind Freunde geworden, und gerade auf dieser Basis verdanke ich der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Franz Liszt Kammerorchester unvergessene Höhepunkt meines musikalischen Lebens. Dem Orchester und seinen Musikern gelten meine allerbesten Wünshe für eine weiterhin erfolgreiche Zukunft."

"Having performed with most of the similar international groups, old and new, it was invariably a pleasurable experience to collaborate with the Franz Lisztians. The common background in our music education and the memories of our idols created the ideal platform for high level music making. My warmest wishes go for their continued success and continued dedication to the cause of music."

"In more than sixty years on the concert stage, I have rarely had as much pleasure, personal fulfillment and friendly warmth than the times that I was playing or recording with my friends in the orchestra. Their devotion to the highest quality of music making, their happiness in bringing a phrase to life, in caressing the beauties of music is unforgettable. I can remember how hard it was for me to live up the standards of their performances!"

Isaac Stern, violinist

"I got acquainted with the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra when it was still in its embryo stage. It developed into a child of extreme beauty with which it was always a joy to play with. Then, later I could meet, see, hear them again when they developed into an adult, international star and could share with them the joy of music-making. I wish them to grow into a long, ageless sage age, sharing with us all the wealth of their art."

"It was exceptional for me - when I first had the opportunity to play with them - that right from the first rehearsal I could feel that we belong to each other, that we speak, even without words, not only the same language, but also the same dialect. Finally the quality and quantity of what the Germans call "Musizierfruede", the joy to play music present in this orchestra is also quite exceptional.

It has been the highlight of my visits to Hungary ever since, to meet with members with the orchestra, to chat with them, to play with them. I have vivid memories of our joint concerts and the preceding rehearsals, but I would like to recall two special occasions. The one when Janos Rolla switched his violin to viola to play with me Mozart »s Sinfonia concertante and the other, when on their 30th birthday, they honored me by allowing me to sit in the Orchestra to be able to experience and enjoy making music with them from inside."

"I have admired your talents always from the audience rather than from the podium, but the many special moments, your personal manner of music making will always remain vivid in my memory as pinnacles of perfection.

Wishing you many-many more years of success wherever you perform!"

Rico Saccani, conductor

"On the occasion of this wonderful anniversary I would like to remember the remarkable man, conductor, musician and teacher who established, taught and lead this outstanding ensemble for many years. Music lovers do not know today much about Frigyes Sándor, Uncle Frici, in spite of the fact that not only this orchestra, but the whole Hungarian music life has a lot to thank him. His impeccable taste, moderation, psychological sense, angelic patience are characteristics which predestined him to be a teacher.

His activity was also an outstanding example for the interdependence of the activities of a teacher and a conductor. A part of the audience does not know anything about it, they think that the orchestra follows the movements, the choreography of the conductor. Although these gestures are also important, the most important part of the conductor's work is teaching: the interpretation is born during the rehearsals. Frigyes Sándor rehearsed beautifully, because he was able to use his experiences as a teacher. He was particularly sensitive to the works of the Viennese classics – especially Mozart – style, expression, dynamic balance and the fineness of forms met in an exquisite harmony. I played many Mozart piano concertos with him far the first time and I remember fondly these concerts. Equally memorable are the performances of the great Bach works: "Die Kunst der Fuge", the Brandenburg concertos and the Matthew Passion. These were the "golden concerts" of those years.

The Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra is Uncle Frici's musical child. János Rolla continued and developed this pioneer work."

András Schiff, pianist

"Why do I prefer to work with them of all the other groups? Because, though they come to the first rehearsal with utmost preparedness, they are open for any nice and good things, possessing a uniform sense of style and superior musicality, what Jancsi Rolla produced as a polished diamond with his artistic guiding. In other words the only thing I need to do is to add as much nice and useful idea from my own experience, gained in many years of practice, as possible and we quickly become attuned to each other and understand each other from the wink of the eye."

Ervin Lukács, conductor

"I am happy that I could be present at their start; we used to talk a great deal with their first - and only - conductor on the possible future of an orchestra formed by young people in their early 20es, moreover of an ensemble with a planned programme of masterpieces which were already available on records owned by all music lovers and performed by five-six world famous chamber orchestras. They trusted themselves and believed that with plenty of hard work they could become one of those outstanding ones. And steady work, the stylistic encouragement they had received from their conductor did bring the expected results. Today they are known by five continents as one of the best chamber music orchestras of the world. No one is Likely to play Bartók's Divertimento, or Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta in a more authentic way than the way they do. It is a great honour for me that I can claim to be their friend from the very beginning."

András Szőllősy, composer

"There are many great Chamber Orchestras in the world, but there is only one Franz Liszt !"

Jaime Laredo, violinist

"Es ist eine grosse Freude, mit Euch zu musizieren. Ich glaube, wir haben bald 15 Jahre-Jubileum!"

Thomas Zehetmair, violinist

"This dangerous transcription of Schubert's 'Arpeggione' Sonata is playable only with the greatest Chamber musicians. Bravo Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra!"

Arto Noras, cellist

"Zur Erinnerung an die schöne Mozart-Aufnahme und allen besten Wünschen"

Edita Gruberova, soprano

"Die erste Begegnung mit Euch bei Vivaldi war 'Liebe auf den ersten Blick'"

Hans Jörg Schellenberger, oboist

"This is my third time with the Orchestra and each time it is of pure joy. For years I have been looking for an orchestra that work and play in the real Chamber music tradition. To my friends with love and affection"

Michael Collins, clarinetist

"Avec un grand merci pour la merveiieuse musique et aussi pour la gentillese! A tré bientót an musique, encore!"

Marielle Nordmann, harpist

Un enorme 'Grazie' per questi magnifici giorni passati a fare musica con voi. Con grande appetro e stima"

Enrico Dindo, violoncello

"What a rare pleasure making music with all of you!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you..."

Joseph Kalichstein, pianist

"In remembrance of my wonderful experience of making music with the Liszt Chamber Orchestra. Really a revelation! I will always appreciate your warmth and excellence."

Eugene Istomin

"I want to sincerely thank you for inviting me to play with Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed playing with them- it will always remain as one of my very finest music making experiences. Groups like this inspire me to be better and stay true to the art form. I feel so grateful to have witnessed such great ensemble, I wish to one day play along side them again. Their Mozart No. 40 (one of my very favorite pieces) have made such a tremendous impression on me, and I will never forget it..."

Joyce Yang, pianist