Selmeczi György
Composer
8 March 1952 Kolozsvár [Cluj, Romania]
Composer, conductor, pianist, opera director, an exceptionally diverse personality being familiar with almost every genres of music.
György Selmeczi started his music studies in his hometown at the age of five under the guidance of Sarolta Tulogdy, Mihály Guttmann, Miklós Szalay and Péter Vermesy. From 1971 to 1975 he was pupil of György Halmos and Tibor Oláh at the Music Academy of Bukarest, while between 1975 and 1976 he studied at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music Budapest as pupil of Pál Kadosa. From 1976 to 1977 he was scholarship-holder of the IRCAM (Paris) as student of Pierre Boulez.
In 1979 he worked under the guidance of Daniel Charles in the CERIS (Paris). His career launched at the Hungarian Theatre of Kolozsvár, where he was composer and conductor between 1974 and 1975, making several radio- and television recordings throughout Romania. In 1976 he founded the New Music Workshop in Miskolc. From 1976 to 1977 he taught chamber music in the Teacher Training Institute of the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy’s department in Miskolc.
Later he became music director at the 25th Theatre in Budapest and at the National Theatre of Miskolc. In the ’80s he was music director of the Budapest Castle Theatre and the Attila József Theatre. From 1987 he was chairman of the Mérték Association, as well as founder of the Contemporary Opera Forum (Vetületek). In 1989 he re-founded the chamber orchestra Camerata Transsylvanica and at the same time he founded and directed the Budapest Chamber Opera.
From 1991 to 1999 he was constant guest conductor of the Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár. Between 1996 and 2000 he worked as music director of the Szigligeti Theatre in Szolnok, while from 2000 to 2002 he was art director of the Millenáris Park and Cultural Program Office. Between 2002 and 2008 he was music director of the National Theatre. Since 2002 he’s been head of music department at the University of Theatre and Film and since 2004 he’s been art director of the Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár. In 1995 he founded the Auris Company where he is art director up to now.
His activity as composer varies from vocal-symphonic works to chamber-, choral- and stage works. Major works of György Selmeczi are: Siren (opera), Love and mercy (oratorio based on Shakespeare’s texts), Hymns (cantata cycle), six masses, four string quartets, sacred works, two concertos, etc. Besides, he is composer of a number of theatre pieces and about fifty Hungarian movies. As conductor and pianist he gives concerts all over Europe. He made numerous radio-, television- and CD-recordings as well as opera films. He has presented many hundreds of contemporary works.
Prizes:
1983 Best Soundtrack Award of the Budapest Film Week
1986 Best Soundtrack Award of the Budapest Film Week
1987 Artisjus Prize for the Best Contemporary Music Performance
1990 Artisjus Prize for the Best Contemporary Music Performance
1995 Composer Award of the Animation Film Week in Kecskemét
1999 Erkel Prize (1999)
2002 Ferenc Liszt Album Grand Prize (with his album titled Liszt: Late works)
2008 Duna Prize
2010 Knight’s Cross of Merit of Order of the Hungarian Republic
2012 Merited Artist
2015 Bartók-Pásztory Prize
2019 Kossuth Award
2023 Artist of the Nation
see also: Selmeczi György - conductor
Composer, conductor, pianist, opera director, an exceptionally diverse personality being familiar with almost every genres of music.
György Selmeczi started his music studies in his hometown at the age of five under the guidance of Sarolta Tulogdy, Mihály Guttmann, Miklós Szalay and Péter Vermesy. From 1971 to 1975 he was pupil of György Halmos and Tibor Oláh at the Music Academy of Bukarest, while between 1975 and 1976 he studied at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music Budapest as pupil of Pál Kadosa. From 1976 to 1977 he was scholarship-holder of the IRCAM (Paris) as student of Pierre Boulez.
In 1979 he worked under the guidance of Daniel Charles in the CERIS (Paris). His career launched at the Hungarian Theatre of Kolozsvár, where he was composer and conductor between 1974 and 1975, making several radio- and television recordings throughout Romania. In 1976 he founded the New Music Workshop in Miskolc. From 1976 to 1977 he taught chamber music in the Teacher Training Institute of the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy’s department in Miskolc.
Later he became music director at the 25th Theatre in Budapest and at the National Theatre of Miskolc. In the ’80s he was music director of the Budapest Castle Theatre and the Attila József Theatre. From 1987 he was chairman of the Mérték Association, as well as founder of the Contemporary Opera Forum (Vetületek). In 1989 he re-founded the chamber orchestra Camerata Transsylvanica and at the same time he founded and directed the Budapest Chamber Opera.
From 1991 to 1999 he was constant guest conductor of the Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár. Between 1996 and 2000 he worked as music director of the Szigligeti Theatre in Szolnok, while from 2000 to 2002 he was art director of the Millenáris Park and Cultural Program Office. Between 2002 and 2008 he was music director of the National Theatre. Since 2002 he’s been head of music department at the University of Theatre and Film and since 2004 he’s been art director of the Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár. In 1995 he founded the Auris Company where he is art director up to now.
His activity as composer varies from vocal-symphonic works to chamber-, choral- and stage works. Major works of György Selmeczi are: Siren (opera), Love and mercy (oratorio based on Shakespeare’s texts), Hymns (cantata cycle), six masses, four string quartets, sacred works, two concertos, etc. Besides, he is composer of a number of theatre pieces and about fifty Hungarian movies. As conductor and pianist he gives concerts all over Europe. He made numerous radio-, television- and CD-recordings as well as opera films. He has presented many hundreds of contemporary works.
Prizes:
1983 Best Soundtrack Award of the Budapest Film Week
1986 Best Soundtrack Award of the Budapest Film Week
1987 Artisjus Prize for the Best Contemporary Music Performance
1990 Artisjus Prize for the Best Contemporary Music Performance
1995 Composer Award of the Animation Film Week in Kecskemét
1999 Erkel Prize (1999)
2002 Ferenc Liszt Album Grand Prize (with his album titled Liszt: Late works)
2008 Duna Prize
2010 Knight’s Cross of Merit of Order of the Hungarian Republic
2012 Merited Artist
2015 Bartók-Pásztory Prize
2019 Kossuth Award
2023 Artist of the Nation
see also: Selmeczi György - conductor
| Year | Title | Publisher | Code | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 |
Magyar kompozíciók zongorára
(Hungarian Piano Music) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31608 | |
| 1995 | Hommage | Magyar Rádió | MR 011 | 4 CDs |
| 1997 |
Kortárs magyar zene trombitára és hárfára
(Contemporary Hungarian Music for Trumpet and Harp) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31734 | |
| 1997 |
Kortárs magyar misék
(Contemporary Hungarian Masses) |
Hungaroton | HCD 31711 |
Own |
| 2003 |
Szent és profán - kortárs magyar kórusantológia
(Sacred & Profane - Hungarian Contemporary Choral Antology) |
Hungaroton | HCD 32195 | |
| 2016 | Viennese Miniatures by Lanner & Schubert | Hungaroton | HCD 32766 |
| Title | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| "Szentegyházi utca" | Chamber Music | 2013 |
| La Sirène (The Mermaid) | Opera | 1997 |
| A Tisza | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1998 |
| The rainmaker´s lays | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Les trois muskquetaires / The Three Musketeers | Music for the theater | 1998 |
| Cronicar | Opera | 2019 |
| The Lark | Film music | 1987 |
| Colours of Hell | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1998 |
| The Department | Film music | 1995 |
| Songs of Love and Mercy I.-IX. | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 0 |
| Agnes Beata virginis | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Agnus Dei from the Oratorio "Tisza" | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Who understood the language of plants | Film music | 2002 |
| Alba Felix | Symphony orchestra | 0 |
| Angi Vera | Film music | 1979 |
| Az aranyember | Multimedia | 2001 |
| The Lost Destiny | Mixed choir | 0 |
| To the Unknown Sweatheart | Mixed choir | 0 |
| The Fifth Seal | Music for the theater | 2006 |
| Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme / The Middle Class Gentleman | Music for the theater | 2003 |
| Death of the Salesman | Music for the theater | 2000 |
| Oh, Happy Days | Film music | 1990 |
| Knight of Blessed Virgin Mary | Opera | 2017 |
| Bulgakov | Symphony orchestra | 0 |
| Bunbury | Music for the theater | 2000 |
| Gipsy Songs | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 2000 |
| Concerto per 4 violini ed archi | Concerto | 1999 |
| Czillei and the Hunyadis | Music for the theater | 2004 |
| Dallas Pashamende | Film music | 2004 |
| Songs from the Pending City | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| De Maria Virginis - Hommage à Péter Korniss | Solo voice(s) with ensemble | 0 |
| Pig-game | Music for the theater | 2003 |
| Prince Nutcracker | Music for the theater | 1983 |
| Due madrigali / Two Madrigals | Female choir | 2000 |
| A little bit me, a little bit you | Film music | 1984 |
| A woman | Music for the theater | 2000 |
| Elegy | Solo voice(s), choir & chamber orchestra | 2014 |
| Remebering Phil Marlowe | Chamber Music | 1987 |
| The Golden Age of Transylvania | Film music | 1989 |
| György Faludy, Poet | Film music | 1988 |
| Fantasia concertante per arpa, tromba ed orchestra d´archi | Concerto | 1996 |
| Carnival | Music for the theater | 2005 |
| Ballad of Fehér László | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 1994 |
| Cloud-game | Film music | 1983 |
| Races | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Light falls on your face, darling | Film music | 2002 |
| Goethe at the Danube | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 2002 |
| The Palánk Street Kidnapping | Film music | 1985 |
| Root | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1984 |
| Dear Child, Györgyike | Music for the theater | 2003 |
| Vászka, lay off me! | Film music | 1996 |
| Dawn - Stabat Mater in honorem Petri Korniss | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2011 |
| Funereal Pomp | Vocal music | 0 |
| Believe Me | Film music | 1985 |
| Hymns No. 2 | Solo voice(s) with ensemble | 2014 |
| Hymns I.- VII. | Choir and chamber ensemble | 1999 |
| Hippolyt, the lackey | Music for the theater | 1999 |
| Hotel Ouest | Film music | 0 |
| Hymnus in festo sancti Emericis | Choir and chamber ensemble | 0 |
| Three Songs for Children´s Choir | Children's choir | 2001 |
| Three Choral Works on Poems of Sándor Weöres | Choir a cappella | 1999 |
| Three Crows | Choir a cappella | 1998 |
| Three Pieces for Orchestra | Orchestral work | 1980 |
| It´s Time | Film music | 1985 |
| Introitus – On a text by János Pilinszky and Ted Hughes | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 2013 |
| Truants | Film music | 1989 |
| God, Emperor, Peasant | Music for the theater | 2001 |
| Ivan the Terrible | Music for the theater | 2008 |
| Jadviga´s Pillow | Film music | 2000 |
| KZ-Oratorio | Film music | 0 |
| Chamber Cantatas | Solo voice(s) with solo instr. and orch. | 1992 |
| Karácsonyi Babatár | Film music | 1989 |
| Ceiling divided into two | Film music | 1982 |
| Shout and shout | Film music | 1987 |
| The Adventures of Zoltán Kodály | Chamber Music | 1986 |
| Kolozsvár - The Suspending City | Stage work | 2002 |
| Dances of Kolozsvár | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 1999 |
| Fantasia Concertante | Concerto | 1996 |
| Coordinates | Mixed choir | 0 |
| Two Nocturnes | Instrumental solo | 2020 |
| Two Tangos | Choir a cappella | 2003 |
| Two Pieces for Orchestra | Orchestral work | 1977 |
| Chinese defense | Film music | 1999 |
| La Suite en Bref | Chamber Music | 2019 |
| Laudate pueri Dominum - Hommage à János Kájoni | Choir and chamber ensemble | 1989 |
| Laura | Film music | 0 |
| Les enfants de la patrie | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1992 |
| Daisy Song | Film music | 0 |
| Margo´s Movie I. | Chamber Music | 0 |
| Margo´s Cinema II. | Chamber Music | 2010 |
| Margo´s Cineama IV. | Instrumental solo | 2016 |
| Margo´s Cinema VI. | Instrumental solo | 2017 |
| Time Stands Still | Film music | 1981 |
| Melodrama | Film music | 1991 |
| Heavenly Troops | Film music | 1984 |
| Relatively Speaking | Film music | 1979 |
| Metrics | Chamber Music | 1983 |
| Winnie the Pooh | Music for the theater | 2000 |
| Minutes Volantes | Solo voice(s) with chamber orchestra | 1996 |
| Mass 1. (Missa Prima) | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 1987 |
| Mass 4 (Missa Quarta) | Solo voice(s), choir, solo instr. & orch. | 1999 |
| Mass 5 (Missa Quinta) | Choir and chamber ensemble | 2001 |
| Missa Quinta | Choir and chamber ensemble | 0 |
| Missa Secunda | Choir a cappella | 1984 |
| Missa Sexta | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Mass 3 (Missa Tertia) | Choir a cappella | 1988 |
| Monumentum - in Memory of Bartók | Solo voice(s), choir & solo instrument(s) | 1995 |
| Today | Music for the theater | 1985 |
| Moses | Music for the theater | 2004 |
| Four Pieces to Phil Marlow | Chamber Music | 1990 |
| Operetka | Choir and orchestra | 2001 |
| Passion | Solo voice(s) with solo instrument(s) | 1999 |
| Petőfi | Solo voice(s) with ensemble | 0 |
| Quartetto d´ Archi No. 1 / String Quartet No. 1 | Chamber Music | 1991 |
| Quartetto d´ Archi No. 2 / String Quartet No. 2 | Chamber Music | 1993 |
| Quartetto d´ Archi No. 3 / String Quartet No. 3 | Chamber Music | 2007 |
| Quartetto d´ Archi No. 4 / String Quartet No. 4 | Chamber Music | 2011 |
| In illo tempore | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 2004 |
| Responsorium ad S. ioannem de Deo | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| The Government Inspector | Film music | 1984 |
| Rinaldo | Film music | 2002 |
| Rorate caeli | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 2015 |
| Scherzo for Orchestra | Orchestral work | 1981 |
| Septour | Chamber Music | 2012 |
| Sonata per violino solo / Sonata for Solo Violin | Instrumental solo | 2008 |
| Spiritisti - Opera in Two Acts | Opera | 2004 |
| I am Svejk | Music for the theater | 1992 |
| Szent Barbara | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| St. John Hymn | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Saint Ladislaus Hymn | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Saint Margaret | Choir and solo instrument(s) | 0 |
| Saint Martin-Play | Choir and chamber ensemble | 0 |
| St. Orpheus Fragments | Symphony orchestra | 0 |
| A Midsummer Night´s Dream | Music for the theater | 1991 |
| Lucky Daniel | Film music | 1983 |
| Petals, Flowers, Wreaths | Film music | 1984 |
| Syren - Opera in One Act | Opera | 1997 |
| Te Deum 1914 | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 0 |
| Punctilio | Film music | 1976 |
| Tetemrehívás | Film music | 2003 |
| Like America | Film music | 1987 |
| Twelve Preludes for Piano | Instrumental solo | 1986 |
| Trittico per 2 Pianoforti / Triptych for 2 Pianos | Chamber Music | 2001 |
| Prodigal Father | Film music | 1991 |
| Intersection | Film music | 1979 |
| Religious Songs | Solo voice(s) with solo instr. and orch. | 1993 |
| Take it Easy, Baby... | Music for the theater | 2002 |
| Projections (Pantomime) | Ballet / Choreographic work | 1990 |
| Merry Songs | Mixed choir | 2010 |
| Good Bye, Dear | Film music | 1978 |
| Waldszenen (Forrest Scenes) | Orchestral work | 1998 |
| During Dive | Film music | 1987 |
| Abel in America | Film music | 1998 |
| Abel in the Forest | Film music | 1994 |
| Abel in the Country | Film music | 0 |
| Dream-mine | Film music | 0 |
| Prince Árgyélus | Music for the theater | 0 |
| Transcription - Liszt: Csárdás obstiné | Symphony orchestra | 0 |
| Transcription - Liszt: Historical Hungarian Portraits | Symphony orchestra | 0 |
| Transcription - Liszt: Quatre Valse Oubliées | Symphony orchestra | 0 |
| Ördögváltozás Csíkban | Film music | 1993 |
| Festive Music for Children (The Millennial Ode) | Solo voice(s), choir & orchestra | 2001 |