2017 Leo Weiner Memorial Prize goes to Márta Gulyás

The award was presented to Márta Gulyás by Dr Andrea Vigh, the President of the Liszt Academy and the chairperson of the Weiner Board on 20 April.  Also, the other members of the board were present at the award ceremony: the cellist, János Devich, the pianist Sándor Falvai as well as the board secretary, Mariann Balassa. In his laudatory address, Sándor Falvai briefly guided the audience through Márta Gulyás’ life and work. “As she has pointed out in a number of interviews, already in the first years of her career, she considered chamber music and musical collaboration primary in her professional life. As the Head of the Chamber Music Department, she has made great efforts to have the department regain the appreciation it enjoyed in the past. The Weiner Prize therefore acknowledges not only the artist but also the educator.”

In accordance with the will of the heiress of Leó Weiner, Mrs. Imre Schwarz, the Liszt Academy inherited both the composer’s heirloom and the sums in his bank accounts. To use the inheritance in a worthy manner, the Liszt Academy established a board, which founded the Leo Weiner Memorial Prize in 2004. With the prize, performing artists are recognised who have been serving the cause of chamber music both internationally and nationally for several decades. For the first time, in 2004, the Leo Weiner Prize went to the cellist, Ede Banda. After that, it was conferred upon Judit Hevesi and György Miklós (shared), Sándor Devich and György Konrád (shared), the Bartók String Quartet, Kornél Zempléni, Richard Weninger, István Kassai, János Rolla and Béla Kovács.

Márta Gulyás, chamber music professor of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music as well as of the Madrid Royal Conservatory, is one of the most significant figures of the Hungarian concert scene as well as one of the most influential personalities of chamber music education. The Liszt Prize- winning pianist regularly delivers masterclasses all over Europe, is invited to prestigious chamber music festivals and collaborates with such highly acclaimed fellow-artists as Dénes Kovács, Miklós Perényi or Frans Helmerson.