As an innovative initiative, the Budapest Festival Orchestra hosts a biennial in-house competition for members of the ensemble, allowing the BFO’s musicians to take the stage as soloists from time to time. The competition is named after the violinist and conductor Sándor Végh, honoring his unwavering commitment to the notion that musicians must play as soloists, even as members of an orchestra.

Iván Fischer likes to emphasize that, in addition to orchestral music and chamber music, solo music is also a part of a wholesome life of a musician: “this is what they teach at college, and it is our goal to keep this ambition and this skill alive among the musicians of the Festival Orchestra. Performing as a soloist requires intense practice, and this also has a positive impact on the orchestra’s music.”

Participation in the competition is voluntary, and is very popular among members of the BFO. We welcome members of the audience at the performances of the final round! With the addition of orchestral accompaniment, we incorporate the best performances in the line-up of the BFO’s upcoming season to share them with the audience; it is always a tremendous experience for the musicians.

As violinist Emese Gulyás points out, “this competition inspires us to think beyond just the orchestral repertoire. It provides a new perspective and lends purpose, which makes all the extra hours of practice worthwhile. When I stood on stage as a soloist, with the BFO behind me, using my own voice to speak to the audience, that moment was transformed for me into a celebration. It was life rewarding me.”