As it is customary, this year’s International Summer Academy for Young Musicians in Debrecen ended with a concert by the formation called Zoltán Kodály World Youth Orchestra. The members of this ensemble had not had a chance to meet before the master classes and the joint preparation, so they had to forge a cohesive artistic community just under the course of a fortnight.
In his ceremonial address, Vice Rector for General Affairs at the University of Debrecen Dénes Páll noted that the summer academy is traditionally a lot more than just a series of master classes and rehearsals. In fact, it is a splendid opportunity for masters and students to meet face to face, representing a variety of nations and musical traditions.
- During the past few days, it has become clear again that music is indeed a common language, which is capable of connecting us across national borders and different cultures. It simultaneously means dedicated efforts, professional growth, friendships and the joy of joint creation. All of these values are closely related to the mission of the University of Debrecen, which aims to build an open and international community where talent meets knowledge, inspiration and opportunities. In addition to all this, it is also important for us to remember Tamás Vásáry, an influential figure of our summer academy and the founding conductor of the Zoltán Kodály World Youth Orchestra, whose artistic and human legacy continues to live on in every joint rehearsal, in every musical note that is born and in the belief that music is discipline, freedom and community at the same time- said the vice rector.
Debrecen’s deputy mayor for cultural affairs was also present at the ceremonial event. In his welcoming speech, István Puskás underlined that, for several decades, our city has had a unique and ever stronger vibe during the summer season, through which local young people have been able to discover international trends through the channels of culture. As for the summer academy, it has also strengthened this connection as well as the preservation of traditions for the past twenty-five years.
- The events during the summer months have always provided local young people with the opportunity to meet foreigners without having to go abroad. This international character of summer in Debrecen is still a defining feature to this very day, even if our city now is host to a lot more youngsters from abroad throughout the year thanks to the University of Debrecen. I am happy that the International Summer Academy for Young Musicians, which was founded twenty-five years ago, continues to be part of this vibrant atmosphere, nurturing Debrecen’s traditions, strengthening our city’s cultural values and fostering its international connections- said the deputy mayor.
Judit Váradi, Artistic Director of the International Summer Academy for Young Musicians, added the following thoughts: This anniversary is not just a point in time to look back, but also a chance to look forward to the future, since music is a kind of art form that is alive and reborn in each and every performance.
- A quarter-century is a long time in the life of an institution. However, in music, it might perhaps be just a single beautiful musical phrase. Twenty-five years ago, a dream was born in Debrecen with the aim of creating a meeting place where young artists from various countries around the world could come together in order to produce music, to inspire one another and to learn from their masters and mentors. Ever since then, generations of young musicians from as many as sixty-two countries have taken part in our summer academy. As we have noted before, music is a special, universal language. For twenty-five years now, the International Summer Academy for Young Musicians has acted as its home, linking generations, national borders and communities. We do believe that the next twenty-five years will bring at least as many discoveries, friendships and artistic experiences as the past quarter-century did- said Judit Váradi in her speech.
The list of works performed by this year’s Zoltán Kodály World Youth Orchestra included Gioachino Rossini’s “Overture to The Barber of Seville,” Emmanuel Chabrier’s “España,” Zoltán Kodály’s “Dances of Galánta,” Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide” and George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” under the musical direction of conductor Zoltán Bolyky.
The orchestra has one more, final performance ahead in its present composition. On Thursday, July 16, the young musicians will take the stage at the Grand Hall of the Liszt Academy of Music in the capital city.
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