Ivan Fischer founds Academy for young European musicians

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Iván Fischer and his two orchestras launch European Orchestra Academy

This Monday, the Budapest Festival Orchestra, the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Music Director of both ensembles, Iván Fischer, will join forces in Brussel’s BOZAR concert hall to announce their joint project: the formation of the European Orchestra Academy.

16 young musicians from 12 countries, chosen from over 400 applicants, will play play in concerts within the Budapest Festival Orchestra from October 2024.

These young Academists are part of a unique project founded by Iván Fischer. His aim is to educate future musical leaders of orchestral playing and chamber music with social responsibility for the public they serve.

As with most orchestra academies, students will receive master classes. But additionally they will travel to most of the EU member states, playing chamber music in schools, hospitals, retirement homes – taking music to those most in need who are unable to visit concert halls

Uniquely, too, they will play regularly in the Budapest Festival Orchestra on tour and at home, with their positions confirmed already (please see attached information.)

All will be initially on a fixed twelve month contract, funded, in the first instance, by Iván Fischer personally, plus a group of loyal supporters including the Sylvia Toth Art and Culture Foundation. The aim is for the contracts to be extended for an additional year, subject to the necessary backing being secured.

To help fully realise this project, there is now a major fundraising campaign targetting individuals and private foundations who share our passion and concern about the future of music in Europe.

The Academists

Birgit Katriin Born Estonia Violin
Barbora Butvydaite Lithuania Viola
Lucrezia Costanzo Italy Violin
Máté Harangozó Hungary French Horn
Salomé Harth Germany Oboe
Gergely Janák Hungary Bass Trombone
Tonka Javorovic Croatia Violoncello
Bálint Keresztesi Hungary Tuba
Éva Kóbor France/Hungary Violin
David Moosmann Germany Violin
Jenő Puporka Hungary Double Bass
Hattie Quick UK/New Zealand Viola
Alexey Stychkin Russia/Greece Violin
Alejandro Viana Herreros Spain Violoncello
Ziv Wainer Bobrowicz Israel/Russia Bassoon
Solvejg Wilding Switzerland Violin

Selection Process
From over 400 applicants (applying through muvac.com), 50 were invited to audition in Budapest.

Members of the Budapest Festival Orchestra voted, with the final decision being made by Iván Fischer.

In future, pre-auditions will be held by the European Union Youth Orchestras. Ivan’s aim is to develop the EUYO as a magnet for the most talented music students in Europe, thus creating a path for the best ones to move on from the EUYO to the Academy.