A soloist remembers Bela Dekany
RIPThe British-Hungarian violinist György Pauk remembers his close friend, the BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Bela Dekany, who died this week:
I never heard of Bela until I met him in Holland in 1960. He left Hungary by the time I was about 10 years old. Soon after our meeting, the Dekany Quartet was born and he moved to Holland with his wife. That is when our close friendship started. After several years of success and the recording all the Haydn quartets he moved to London and became the leader of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
That is when we “met” musically as well, when I appeared often as soloist with the Orchestra. His wonderful cellist wife Dorothy became one of the best friends of my wife too. Whenever together, we talked a lot about music as well as soccer, though we supported different
teams. His long life was rich fulfilled through music and friends. We will miss him very much.
pictured: Bela, between his son and daughter.
Dekany’s charm and highly developed diplomatic skills went hand in hand with rigorous professional standards. He led the BBC SO during one of their finest periods, including many exceptional, memorable concerts in the Boulez-Glock era. As well as recording so many Haydn Quartets, he told me that he had an established duo with no less a pianist than György Kurtág before the War.
His wife taught me cello and l still remember her lessons. I remember their courting days at my parents’ house. I saw Bela, when the BBC Symphony Orchestra performed in Hamburg in 1971.
The superb Dekany complete Haydn quartets has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Of course, it was only after hearing other interpretations as an adult that I really appreciated just how wonderful the Dekany versions are.