Artist database

8 October 1949 Miskolc

He studied at the conducting department of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music as pupil of István Párkai (1968-1973), then at the composing department as pupil of Emil Petrovics (1970-1975). He graduated in 1975, and between 1979 and 1980 he took part in post graduate training at the Sweelinck Conservatory, Amsterdam, where he was pupil of Ton de Leeuw. From 1974 to 1979 he worked as répétiteur of the Hungarian Radio and Television Choir, since 1981 he’s been teacher of the Music Academy. At first he taught prosody and worked as assistant to Petrovics, and then he taught composing to his own class.

He is a versatile composer, who wrote theatrical works, grand orchestral and chamber works, as well as songs. Some of his operas are: Barabbas (1977), Mario and the Magician (1988), Leonce and Lena (1999), Mrs. Karnyo (2007). Orchestral works: Farewell, Retrograde symphony, Titanic, Last Minute Tour. Major oratorios: Magnificat, Missa in H, Via crucis, Pater noster. Chamber music: four string quartets, Sonata for violin and piano, Sonata for clarinet and piano, Duo (violin and cello), Sonata for piano, Sonata for viola.

János Vajda was honored with the Erkel Prize (1981), the Bartók-Pásztory Prize (1990) and the Kossuth Prize (2003).