István Kertész (conductor) facts for kids
István Kertész (born August 28, 1929 – died April 16, 1973) was a talented Hungarian conductor. He led many of the world's best orchestras during his short career. These included famous groups like the London Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestras. Kertész knew over 450 musical pieces. He also conducted about sixty operas, from old classics by Mozart to newer works by Bartók. He was part of a group of amazing Hungarian conductors.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Childhood in Budapest
István Kertész was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1929. He was the first child of Margit and Miklós Kertész. His father worked as a director at a leather factory. Sadly, his father passed away when István was only nine years old. His mother then had to work to support the family.
From a very young age, István loved music. He started taking violin lessons early on. He once said that music became his "exile" during the tough times in Europe. He spent hours practicing piano and violin. He even wrote his own small songs.
Music During Difficult Times
In 1944, German forces took control of Hungary. Because of the danger to Jewish people, István's family had to hide. Sadly, many of his relatives were sent to a very bad place and did not survive.
Even with the dangers of war, István kept studying music. He learned piano and composition by age twelve. He and his sister often went to concerts and operas in Budapest. This is when István decided he wanted to be a conductor. After the war, he finished school with high honors in 1947.
That same year, István earned a scholarship to the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. He studied violin, piano, and how to write music. He also focused on conducting. He learned from famous conductors like János Ferencsik. At the music school, he met Edith Gancs, a singer. They got married in 1951. She later became known as Edith Kertész-Gabry.
A Rising Conducting Career
Starting in Budapest
István Kertész made his first public appearance as a conductor on December 17, 1948. He led a concert featuring only music by Mozart. In 1953, he became the main conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Győr. He held this job for two years. This helped him learn many different types of music.
From 1955 to 1957, he also led the Budapest Opera Orchestra. He taught conducting at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. After the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Kertész and his young family left Hungary. He received a special scholarship to study in Rome, Italy. There, he learned from Fernando Previtali, a well-known conductor. Kertész finished his studies with top honors.
Leading Operas in Germany
After his studies in Rome, Kertész became a guest conductor in Germany. He worked with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra and the Hamburg State Opera. He conducted famous operas like Fidelio and La bohème.
In 1960, Kertész was asked to become the general music director of the Augsburg Opera. This was a new job created just for him. He became known for his excellent performances of Mozart's operas. These included The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro. He also conducted operas by Verdi and Richard Strauss. He was invited to the famous Salzburg Festival in 1961 and 1963. During this time, he also started conducting the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Kertész began making recordings early in his career. He signed a special contract with Decca/London records. His first performance in Britain was in 1960. He made his debut in the United States in 1961. He also started working with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducting many pieces with them over eleven years.
Work in Cologne and London
In 1964, Kertész became the general music director of the Cologne Opera. He led the first German performances of Benjamin Britten's Billy Budd and Verdi's Stiffelio. He also continued to conduct many Mozart operas. The audience in Cologne sometimes found his music to be very fast. For example, his 1970 performance of Aida was completed in under three hours.
From 1965 to 1968, Kertész was also the main conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO). During this time, he made recordings of all nine Dvořák symphonies. This included the very first complete recording of Dvořák's Symphony No. 1. His contract with the LSO was not renewed because he wanted more control over artistic decisions.
In 1966, Kertész recorded Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle. Many people still consider his performance of this opera to be the best. The London Symphony Orchestra's playing and Kertész's way of shaping the story were outstanding.
Kertész often conducted as a guest with many other orchestras. These included the Vienna Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In 1973, he was named the principal conductor of the Bamberg Symphony. The Cleveland Orchestra had also wanted him as their music director.
His Final Days
On April 16, 1973, István Kertész was on a concert tour in Israel. He went swimming off the coast of Herzliya and sadly drowned. He had been recording music by Brahms, including his complete symphonies. After his death, the Vienna Philharmonic finished recording Brahms's Variations on a Theme by Haydn without a conductor, as a tribute to him.
István Kertész was survived by his wife, Edith Kertész-Gabry, and their three children, Gábor, Péter, and Kathrin. He also left behind his mother and his sister, Vera Kertész.
International Orchestras Kertész Conducted
István Kertész worked as a main or guest conductor with many orchestras around the world. Here are some of them:
- Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
- Berlin Philharmonic
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- Cleveland Orchestra
- Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Amsterdam)
- Detroit Symphony Orchestra
- Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Los Angeles Philharmonic
- New York Philharmonic
- Philadelphia Orchestra
- San Francisco Symphony
- Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Recordings of His Work
István Kertész made many important recordings. He was the first to record all of Mozart's La clemenza di Tito. He was also the first to record all of Dvořák's symphonies. His versions of Dvořák's music are still considered classics today. He recorded with famous pianists like Clifford Curzon and Vladimir Ashkenazy. He also recorded music by Zoltán Kodály.
Here are some of his notable recordings:
- Bartók, Béla, Bluebeard's Castle (with Christa Ludwig, Walter Berry), London Symphony Orchestra (1965)
- Brahms, Complete Symphonies, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (1964-1973)
- Dvořák, Complete Symphonies, London Symphony Orchestra (1963-1968)
- Mozart, La clemenza di Tito, Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Choir (1967)
- Kodály, Háry János, London Symphony Orchestra (1968)
- Schubert, Symphonies No. 1-6, 8, 9, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (1962-1971)
