Artist database

Balázs Kecskés D. (*1993) is a Hungarian composer, lecturer at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. His compositions are “pieces of art created with gentle colours, and carefully composed over time” (as per the laudation by Máté Hollós). He draws from the historical traditions of the past centuries, while creating his own, unique world by placing elements with a long history – forms and harmonies – into a new context. His repertoire includes a wide range of works such as solo and chamber music, orchestral compositions, concertos, in addition to vocal works. His works are performed on both national and international stages. In 2021, he is mentored by the Peter Eötvös Foundation during which he will work with leading Hungarian and international ensembles. The U.S.-based Garth Newel Piano Quartet regularly plays his piano quartet Accusativus. His prelude for pianist Martin Tchiba has been on the artist’s repertoire since its 2018 premiere in Saarbrücken. Among the numerous national and international awards and competition prizes the most outstanding are the 1st prize he won at the Generace composer competition in Ostrava in 2020 for his composition "Komm", and the Garth Newel Award he received in 2018 for his piano quartet Accusativus, selected by a jury from 90 entries. In recognition for his compositional activity, he received the Junior Prima Award and the Junior Artisjus Award in 2020. In 2020 and 2019, he won the Istvánffy Benedek Award of the Hungarian Composers’ Union for his pieces titled "Komm" (2020) and "Trois romances" (2019), a recognition awarded annually to an outstanding composer under 40. In 2025 he was given the Bartók-Pásztory Prize.