Éva Polgár, Pianist

  • 5 Mar 2009 11:00 AM
Éva Polgár, Pianist
Born in 1983, Éva Polgár started her piano studies in 1990. In 2001, she was admitted to the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where her teacher was Hamsa Al-Wadi Juis. Éva finished her studies in Helsinki in 2008, and at her diploma concert was honoured to play Beethoven's 3rd concerto with an orchestra conducted by the famous Finnish conductor, Okko Kamu. From 2002, Éva also studied at Budapest's Franz Liszt University of Music under the expert guidance of Jenö Jandó. Éva graduated with honour from Franz Liszt University with a Masters degree in 2007.

Éva has performed concerts in Hungary, Austria, Finland, France, Italy and the United States. At her deput in the 2006 Fort Worth (Texas) Piano Festival, she worked together with top artists such as Piotr Paleczny and Yakov Kashman.

Successful piano competitions show Éva's artistic quality. Her most prominent prize to date is the Béla Bartók prize ("ISA" Summer Academy, Reichenau, Austria,2006).

The goal of this young and talented pianist, in her early career, has been to build a cultural bridge between Finland and Hungary - and to bring music closer to people's everyday life. Amongst a number of first performances are the Hungarian premiere of the Jehkin Iivana piano sonata by Olli Mustonen in 2007, and the World premiere of Brueghel Variations by Sándor Vály in Helsinki, Finland, 2008.

1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the countryside of Hungary and still live in the same small village, Zebegény. This atmospheric place is situated next to the Danube, and at the foot of mountains, some 60 km North of Budapest. It is the home to many festivals, concerts and other cultural events, especially in the summer season.

2. What Hungarian traditions bring back fond memories of your childhood?
Hungarian Eastern traditions and, especially, the pig-killing at my Grannies place.

3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?
My home town, my friends, Hungarian gastronomy and Budapests concert life.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
The Széchényi Spa, the Royal Palace of Buda with its museums, the Matthias Church and the Fishermen?s Bastion, the Citadel -also at night - and to visit the Franz Liszt Academy of Music one evening, to enjoy classical music with the best Hungarian musicians.

5. What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Growing up on spicy Hungarian foods made by my father, I love all of them

6. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Pöttyös túrórudi and coffee

7. What is your favorite place in Hungary?
The Castle of Keszthely by the Lake Balaton, where I have spend one week playing the piano each summer for the last 10 years.

8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
To be an archeologist and discover the secrets of the past would be fun!

9. What´s a job you would definitely never want?
Controller at the Budapest Public Transport Ltd.

10. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Antibes, France

11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
In South Africa

12. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Flashdance, Pink Panther, dance, dance, dance

13. What can´t you resist?
The good company of my friends, good wine, the spirit of music and that summer feeling

14. Red wine or white?
White

15. Kolbász or szalámi?
PICK szalámi

16. Book or movie?
Both and more

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning, more or less, neighbors could not stand my practicing the piano all night long?

18. Dog person or cat person?
I have a dog, but it behaves sometimes like a cat?so I cant?t chose.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Pest

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Do your best, smile at people, never give up and God will do the rest.

 

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