Ella István
conductor, organ
Place of Birth
Veresegyház
Date of Birth
1947
He was born in 1947 at Veresenyház, near Budapest. He studied organ under professor Ferenc Gergely, and choir-conducting under professor Zoltán Vásárhelyi at the Budapest Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, from where he graduated in 1971. Between 1971 and 74, he was pursuing, post-graduate studies in organ music and improvisation under professor J. E. Köhler, and conducting under professor O. Koch in Weimar and Leipzig, respectively. He obtained a conductor�s diploma at Wittenberg in 1974, where he conducted the Halle Philharmonic Orchestra. As an organist he culled a string of international prizes: he was a prize-winner in the 1971 Prague International Organ Competition; second prize in the 1972 Leipzig J. S. Bach International Organ Concours; first prize in the 1974 Anton Bruckner International Organ Competition at Linz; first prize in the 1976 J. S. Bach International Organ Concours at Brügge. Between 1976 and 86 he was Artistic Director and soloist of the Corelli Chamber Orchestra which performed baroque chamber music on authentic instruments. In 1979-84, István Ella was Principal Conductor of the Székesfehérvár Symphony Orchestra. From 1975 to 1990, he was a soloist of the National Philharmonic Concerts Organization. Since 1984 he has been a member of the jury at several prestigious international organ competitions, (Leipzig, Geneva, Prague, Linz, Lüneburg, Berlin, etc.). He has been a guest professor at master classes in Great Britain, Germany, Poland and Hungary.
In 1989, István Ella founded the Budapest Bach Choir and has ever since been their leader. All members of the Choir are professional singers devoted to presenting baroque choral music in general, and that of J. S. Bach in particular, in line with the latest findings of musicological research. By putting in performances regularly, the Choir have become an integral part of the music life in Budapest and Hungary. István Ella has guest-performed in almost every European country, as well as in Canada, Lebanon and in the United States.
In 1989, István Ella founded the Budapest Bach Choir and has ever since been their leader. All members of the Choir are professional singers devoted to presenting baroque choral music in general, and that of J. S. Bach in particular, in line with the latest findings of musicological research. By putting in performances regularly, the Choir have become an integral part of the music life in Budapest and Hungary. István Ella has guest-performed in almost every European country, as well as in Canada, Lebanon and in the United States.