History

The Kodály-Bartók World Youth Orchestra was established by the Future of Europe Association, with the support of the local government of Kecskemét. Kecskemét, the city where, Zoltán Kodály was born, wishes to enhance its acquaintance with the musical heritage of Zoltán Kodály and of the other world-famous Hungarian composer, Béla Bartók, in launching the Kodály-Bartók World Youth Orchestra project in July 2006, with the objective of opening an international musical exchange platform for young musicians from all over the world. More than 80 young talented musicians from 20 different countries are involved in the project. The orchestra academy is organised every summer, from 2006, consisting of a work period based in Kecskemét followed by concert tours in Hungary and abroad. The orchestra is placed under the baton of the well-known Hungarian pianist and conductor, Tamás Vásáry.

In 2007 it is the 125 year anniversary of Zoltán Kodály birth, in this memorial year, the orchestra will present works of Kodály as honour. The orchestra academy will be organised every summer, from 2006, consisting of a work period based in Kecskemét followed by concert tours in Hungary and abroad. The orchestra is placed under the baton of the well-known Hungarian pianist and conductor, Tamás Vásáry.

Tamás Vásáry (born 11^th August, 1933, is a Hungarian pianist and conducter). Vásáry was born in Debrecen and gave his first public performances at the age of eight. He studied with Ernő Dohnányi and Józef Gát at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, and was later assistant there to Zoltán Kodály, who made him a gift of a Steinway grand piano. Vásáry won the Franz Liszt Competition in Budapest in 1948. Having left Hungary in 1956 and settled in Switzerland, he made his débuts in the major cities of the West in 1960 and 1961. He has subsequently lived in London. He has also been Music Director of the Northern Sinfonia and Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, and has guest conducted many of the principal British orchestras as well as appearing regularly in the United States and elsewhere as pianist and conductor. He has been the Music Director and the principal conductor of the Hungarian Radio Symphonic Orchestra since 1993.

www.worldyouthorchestra.eu