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Zsolt Fejérvári

Double Bass

Introduction

 

Zsolt Fejérvári studied with Zoltán Tibay and Péter Kubina at the prestigious Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.

Still a student of the Academy, he was awarded with a special prize at the International Competition of Markneunkirchen and became Principal Bass of the Munich Chamber Orchestra.

Between 1994 and 2000 he led the double bass section of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, followed by three years spent in Switzerland with the Suisse Romande Orchestra. Since December 2002 he has been member again of the BFO.

On his first Hungaroton recording he plays concertos for double-bass and orchestra from Sperger and Vanhal (both friends of Mozart) with the Erkel Ferenc Chamber Orchestra.

He has been the soloist of the world premiere recording of the bass concerto "Fantasia Hungarica" of Eugen Zador recorded by the label "Naxos" (2018).

In 1996 he won the Second Prize of the "Giovanni Bottesini" International Competition in Cremona / Italy (no first prize awarded). He has been winner of he Sándor Végh Competition of the Budapest Festival Orchestra five times.

In 1996 he was personally invited by Maestro Sir Georg Solti to the World Orchestra for Peace, in which 78 players of the world's leading orchestras celebrated the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Organisation.

He plays regularly with his friends, the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, the Kodály Quartet (their recording at Naxos of the Octet of Bruch won several nominations and prizes), the Akadémia Quartet and the Auer Quartet. His chamber music partners were among others: Nicolas Altstaedt, Kristóf Baráti, Bence Bogányi, Diego Chenna, Jonathan Cohen, Nicolas Dautricourt, Clara Dent, Blythe Teh Engstroem, László Fenyő, Vilde Frang, Balázs Fülei, José Gallardo, Zoltán Gál, Ilya Gringolts, Márta Gulyás, Giovanni Guzzo, Narek Hakhnazaryan, Maximilian Hornung, Vashti Mimosa Hunter, Heinz Holliger, Alina Ibragimova, Nobuko Imai, Jonian Ilias Kadesha, Daishin Kashimoto, Kim Kashkashian, Barnabás Kelemen, Zoltán Kocsis, Katalin Kokas, György Konrád, Patricia Kopatchinskaya, Adrien La Marca, Christian-Pierre La Marca, Alexei Ljubimov, Yuri Martinov, Marie-Luise Modersohn, Edgar Moreau, Csaba Onczay, Mikhail Ovrutsky, Laurence Power, Rosanne Philippens, Alina Pogostkina, Zoltán Rácz, Gustav Rivinius, Ditta Rohmann, Rafael Rosenfeld, Adam Römer, Sir András Schiff, Hariolf Schlichtig, Yuuko Shiokawa, Kian Soltani, Vilmos Szabadi, Gábor Takács-Nagy, Milan Turkovic, Alexei Ogrintchouk, Alexander Rudin, Sir András Schiff, István Várdai, Tamás Varga, Helena Winkelman.

He has been invited to the Chamber Orchestra of the Musikdorf Ernen (György-Sebök-Festival, in Switzerland), as well to the Philharmonia Végh led by András Keller. He is regularly invited to András Schiff's own chamber orchestra, the Cappella Andrea Barca, to the Camerata Bellerive, Geneva led by Gábor Takács-Nagy, to the "kamara.hu" Chamber Music Festival (artistic director: Dénes Várjon, Izabella Simon), to the Kaposvár International Chamber Music Festival (Kaposfest), to the Festival Academy Budapest, to the Ittingen Festival, the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival (founded by Gidon Kremer, artistic director: Nicolas Altstaedt), to the Musica Léman Festival (Switzerland). He is member of Hungary's top ensemble for contemporary music, UMZE. He is regularly invited as Guest Principal Bass to the Munich Chamber Orchestra, to the Haydn Philharmonie, to the Esbjerg Ensemble (Danemark) etc. He recently got an invitation to play with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as Guest Principal Player in three periods of the IPO (Spring 2023).

He has been member of the jury of the "Giovanni Bottesini" International Bass Competition, Crema / Italy (2022) and has been twice member of the jury of the "Dittersdorf" International Bass Competition, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia.

He played as soloist of concertos for double-bass with world-famous conductors like Iván Fischer, Mark Wigglesworth, Leonidas Kavakos, Gábor Takács-Nagy at venues like the Main Hall of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, the Royal Albert Hall, London, Main Hall of the Warsaw Radio / Poland.

Zsolt Fejérvári teaches as Assistant Bass Professor at the Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest since 2011. He helds master classes in the UK (invited by the legendary Thomas Martin to his own class in Birmingham), Brazil, Slovakia, Poland (Katowice, Craców), Hong Kong etc.

He teaches extensively online, you can find his teaching website under: https://studybass.live

He is often dedicatee of contemporary pieces like Sonnet74 by Helena Winkelman (World premiere in Lockenhaus with Ilya Gringolts, Helena Winkelman and Péter Szabó).

Zsolt Fejérvári plays a wonderful bass made by the master of the 19th century, Brücknert, offered to the Budapest Festival Orchestra by Lord Rothermere in 1995.

On his solo appearances he plays a solo tuned bass built especially for him by the young and incredibly talented German master Stefan Krattenmacher.

CD

 

Concertos for Double Bass and Orchestra

Total time: 49'58"
Relase date: 2006. Hungarotonconcertos for double bass and ochestra

VANHAL Johann Baptist:
1-3 D-dúr nagybőgőverseny 22'44"
SPERGER Johann Matthias:
4-6 D-dúr nagybőgőverseny 27'08"

Musicians:

  • Fejérvári Zsolt - Nagybőgő
  • Erkel Ferenc Kamarazenekar
  • Művészeti vezető Áldor Lili
  • Hangversenymester: Lesták Bedő Eszter

Recording producer, Edited by: Bárány Gusztáv Balance engineer: Csintalan László, Recorded at Hungaroton Studio on 1-4 March, 2005 Scores: Manuscripts owned by Schwerin Landesbibliothek Mecklenburg -Vorpommern, Edited by Fejérvári Zsolt Design: Nagy Péter Booklet editor: Gyenge Enikő

More information: https://hungarotonmusic.com/classical/concertos-for-double-p2879.html

Audio

 

Sperger: Concerto in D major, II.movement

Ferenc Erkel Chamber Orchestra
Leader: Eszter Lesták Bedő
© Hungaroton

Dittersdorf: Concerto in E major, III. movement

Budapest Festival Orchestra
Mark Whigglesworth
© Live recording of the Hungarian Radio

Beethoven: Sonata in g minor, II. movement

Anikó Novák, piano
© Preludio

Bach: Sonata in G major, IV. movement

Anikó Novák, piano
© Preludio

Concerts

 

Repertoire

 

Solo pieces

Bach, J.S.: Suite G-Dur/G major: Preludium-Allemande-Courante-Menuet -Gigue
Francaix, J.: Theme varié
Jestl, B.: Basspeace (1988)
Pflüger, A.: Capriccio per contrabbasso (1982)
Zbinden: Hommage a Bach, op.44 (1969)

Works with piano accompaniment

Bach, J.S.: 3 sonatas for viola da gamba
Bartók, B.: Rumanian Dances
Beethoven, L.v.: Sonatas op.5 Nr. 1, 2, 4
Bottesini, G.: Fantasia sulla „Beatrice di Tenda"
Tarantella
Elegia
Fantasia „La Sonnambula"
Capriccio di bravura
Variations sulla ,Nel cor piu non mi sento" di Paisiello
Bruch, M.: Kol Nidrei
Gliere, R.: Intermezzo & Tarantella
Handel, G.F.: Sonata g-moll/G major
Hindemith, P.: Sonata (1949)
Mozart, WA.: Adagio E-Dur/E major
Misek, A.: Sonaten/Sonatas Op.6 Nr. 1, 2
Paganini, N.: Moto perpetuo
Ravel, M.: Pavane
Schubert, F.: Sonata Arpeggione
Sperger, J.M.: Sonata
Tittel, Gerhard.. Impressionen (1989)

String chamber music

Rossini, G.: The six quartets (vl.,vla.,vc.,cb.)
Duetto per violoncello e contrabbasso
Schubert, F.: Trout Quintet (vl.,vla.,vc.,cb.,pf.)
Oktett/Octet/Octuor (vl.,vl.,vla.,vc.,cb.,cl.,fg.,cn.)
Sperger, J.M.: Romanze for double-bass & string quartet

Works for double-bass and orchestra

Bottesini, G.: Concertos Nr. 1 & 2
Grand Duo Concertant for double-bass, violin & orchestra
Duo Concertant for double-bass, violoncello & orchestra
Dittersdorf, K.D.: Concerto in E major
Dragonetti, D.: Concerto for double-bass
Sperger, J.M: Concerto in D major nr.15
Koussevitzky,S.: Concerto for double-bass
Urbanner, Erich: Concerto for double-bass
Vanhal, J.B.: Concerto in D major

Press

 

Das Orchester

Nach Norbert Duka meldet sich nun ein zweiter ungarischer Kontrabassist mit einer Soloaufnahme zu Wort: Zsolt Fejérvári, Jahrgang 1968, erster Bassist im Budapester Festival Orchester. Er war mit 23 Jahren bereits Solobassist beim Münchner Kammerorchester und gewann den begehrtenBottesini-Baß-Wettbewerb in Cremona. Die höchste Auszeichnung aber war es wohl, daß ihn sein Landsmann Sir Georg Solti in das „Weltorchester für den Frieden" berief, in dem 8 Musiker aus allen führenden Orchestern der Welt zum 50-jährigen Jubiläum der Vereinten Nationen musizierten.

Sein Spiel auf der neuen CD aus Ungarn (Text nur ungarisch und Englisch) verrät wirklich seine Sonderklasse: eine große Musikalität gepaart mit schöner Tongebung und exzellenter Technik. Er verzichtet auch auf jedwedes Schnaufen und Atmen, wie man es sonst von Aufnahmen bei diesem schweißtreibenden Geschäft vernimmt. Wie er die heiklen Stellen im Rondo der Beethoven-Sonate g-Moll meistert, das grenzt an Zauberei. Dabei versucht er nicht krampfhaft, das originale Cello zu kopieren, sondern besinnt sich auf die Qualitäten, Möglichkeiten und Grenzen seines Instruments.

Drei Sonaten hat Fejérvári aufgenommen, die alle irgendwo eine Berechtigung mitbringen, auf dem Baß gespielt zu werden. Die G-Dur-Sonate von Bach ist eine der drei Gambensonaten, und wer will abstreiten, daß der Kontrabaß von der Gambenfamilie abstammt? Schuberts „Arpeggione"-Sonate wird hauptsächlich von den Bratschern und Cellisten vermarktet. Die Mehrsaitigkeit des Originals führt auch zum Baß, den es immerhin in der Version als Fünfsauer gibt. Beethoven selbst soll den italienischen Bassisten Domenico Dragonetti am Klavier begleitet haben, als er dessen g-Moll-Sonate spielte. Angeblich war er so gerührt, daß er beide umarmte, den Spieler und das Instrument.

Am Flügel begleitet die Pianistin Anikó Noväk, eine sehr versierte Künstlerin, der man anmerkt, daß Kammermusik ihre Domäne ist. Für diese Aufnahme ist sie sicher ein Glücksfall, wenn sie auch unverschuldet zu sehr im Vordergrund ist. Wenn man an dieser durchaus empfehlenswerten CD etwas aussetzen will, so liegt das sicher nicht im Bereich der musikalischen Gestaltung, sondern allein an der Aufnahmetechnik. Der Baß fällt schon in der Mittellage weit hinter den Klavierklang zurück, in der Tiefe scheppert es bisweilen, weil nicht richtig ausgesteuert wurde, nur in den oberen Lagen kann sich der Bassist wirklich behaupten. Das ist ein Problem, das eigentlich längst als gelöst abgehakt wurde: man kann den Baß durch spezielle Stützmikrofone klanglich so auspolstern, daß die Balance zum Klavier gegeben ist. Daran müssen die Preludio-Studios noch arbeiten. Die Künstler hätten es verdient.

Wolfgang Teubner

The New York Sun

In the third movement [in Mahler's First Symphony in the Carnegie Hall] - with its funeral march - the principal double-bassist played beautifully, and so did the bassoon, and so did others. But that heavenly G-major section, so smooth and transporting?

Jay Nordlinger, New York Sun

American Record Guide

Max Bruch was 82 when he wrote his Octet, and Felix Mendelssohn was 16 when he wrote his. Bruch had a career as a conductor, a composer, and a teacher, but even after living the equivalent of two of Mendelssohn's lifetimes (Mendelssohn died at 38) he could not write an Octet to compare with Mendelssohn's. It is rather poignant to think about Bruch in 1920, at the end of his life, still writing in the style of the 1820s and still trying to write as well as Mendelssohn (who was himself trying to write as well as Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, and Handel).

These musicians give both pieces their best collective shot, and the resulting reading is extremely fine: resonant, articulate, clear, expressive, and full of all kinds of contrasts in texture. It is well recorded to pick up both the individual voices and the blend of voices. They do their best with the Bruch, but even the finest playing of the piece is not enough to raise it to the level of excellence that Mendelssohn reached at the tender age of 16.

Review by Fine, American Record Guide, October 2006

classictoday.com

The Kodály and Auer Quartets join forces to produce these exceptionally enjoyable performances of the Mendelssohn and Bruch Octets (the latter joined by Zsolt Fejérvári on the double bass). The combined ensembles sound of uniform mind and spirit in both works, playing with a sense of joyous abandon in the Mendelssohn and sinewy vigor in the Bruch. The rich string tone lends an ingratiating warmth to the collective sound, while the players' impeccable musicianship assures that every note registers, even in the many rapid ostinatos that comprise much of the Mendelsson. The Kodály and Auer play from the heart as well as the head, certainly so in their delicate phrasing in the tender slow movements. Naxos' close-perspective recording keeps the performers at a comfortable distance while providing ample space for the string timbres to naturally resonate. This one's an easy recommendation: beautiful, stimulating music, marvelous performances, and excellent recording all at the Naxos price. What more could you ask for?"

10 out of 10" rating for both artistic and recording quality
Victor Carr Jr, www.classicstoday.com, 8 May 2006

Gramofon

"Vanhal műve kellemes, gáláns zene. Jó értelemben véve egyhangú. Spergeré kevésbé egységes, nagyobb eszköztárral kisebb hatást ér el. Az előadás azonban kiváló. Fejérvári Zsolt csodálatosan bőgőzik, bársonyos, finom hangzással, biztos technikával. A lemezt hallgatva nem kérdés, alkalmas-e ez a sokszor elhanyagolt és lenézett hangszer a szólista szerepre, zenekarral való versengésre - legalábbis lemezen és megfelelő akusztikájú teremben. Az elfelejtett, könyvtárakból előásott könyvek közt kevés az igazán érdekes, ám ha ilyen kiváló előadásban szólalnak meg, azonnal magukkal ragadják a hallgatót. Az Áldor Lili és Lesták Bedő Eszter vezette kamarazenekar igényesen, felkészülten kísér, lágy modoruk illik a koncertekhez. First - és first class - recording."

Z[ay] B[alázs], Gramofon, 2006. nyári szám

The New York Times

"...the concert was nothing short of revelatory. In part, the [Budapest Festival] orchestra draws its generous, zaftig sound from the basses. Where other ensembles relegate them to the side of the stage, Mr. Fischer places them on a raised platform at the rear of the orchestra, where they offer a big-brother embrace to the rest of the players..."

New York Times, Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, January 22, 2013

Csengery Kristóf - Muzsika

"... Annál hatásosabban érvényesült Vanhal E-dúr nagybőgőversenye, melyet Fejérvári Zsolt előadásában hallgatva nem csupán egy kitűnő kompozíció, de egy ígéretes előadóművész felfedezésének is részesei lehettünk. Fejérvári, akiről a műsorfüzetben az állt, hogy zeneakadémiai tanulmányai és a Müncheni Kamarazenekarnál eltöltött két év után 1994 óta a Fesztiválzenekar szólamvezetője, egyszerűen levette lábáról a közönséget. A lelkesedés jogos: az utóbbi években néhány fiatal magyar nagybőgős koncertjeiről írva, többször nyugtázhattam örömmel az újabb generációnak azt a törekvését, amely mintha minőségi változást igyekeznék előidézni a hangszer hazai kultúrájában. Most azonban Fejérvári teljesítményével akaratlanul is összehasonlítva őket, úgy találom, valamennyiük játékából hiányzik valami. Ez a fiatal muzsikus olyan harmóniában tárt elénk hangszeres perfeciót, kerekded formálást és kiegyensúlyozottan szuggesztív karakterizálást, nehézkes instrumentumán keresztül olyan könnyedén s olyan közvetlenséggel érvényesítette a darab priméren zenei mondanivalóját, s legfőképp oly természetes egyszerűséggel sugározta magából a zenélés örömét, hogy az minden elismerést megérdemel. Jó volna őt mihamarabb önálló esten, kamarazenészként is hallani."

Csengery Kristóf, Muzsika, 1994. október

Robert Nairn - ISB Magazine

This recording by talented young Hungarian bassist Zsolt Fejérvári features Sperger's Concerto No. 15.in D Major and a fluid and spirited reading of the "classic" Vanhal Concerto. Fejérvári's reading of the Vanhal is as good as any I have heard, and there is an ease to his playing, which belies the not inconsiderable challenges. The Vanhal, likewise, gets a vibrant and animated reading, and this recording may considerably enhance the concerto's appeal and acceptance. Sadly, so few of the eighteen concerti that Sperger wrote have hitherto been published, but they form a fascinating glimpse at the development of the form, written through his career, most notably during his employment at Pozsony, then later at the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court. The trumpet and timpani in the orchestration are at times very reminiscent of Haydn, and the Erkel Ferenc Chamber Orchestra sound excellent throughout the disc. The principal bassist of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Fejérvári's first release in 1996 featured sonatas by Beethoven, Bach and Schubert, and he can also be heard on the Kodály Quartet's recording of the Bruch Octet. Concertos for Double-Bass and Orchestra is highly recommended.

Robert Nairn - International Society of Bassists - 08.2011

Gallery / Videos

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Contact

 

Zsolt Fejérvári

Mobil: 36-20/919-0605
E-mail: fejervarizsolt@yahoo.com

Online teaching website, registration: https://studybass.live

Zsolt Fejérvári