Artists

Organist Szabolcs Szamosi has performed on all major church and concert organs in Hungary, in many countries across Europe, as well as in the United States. He first encountered the organ in Pannonhalma, and later earned degrees in organ performance, organ pedagogy, and church music direction in Graz. In recognition of his work, he received the Würdigungspreis from the Austrian Minister of Culture, an award from the Bishop of Pécs, and the Liszt Ferenc Prize from the Hungarian cultural authorities. He regularly performs with symphony and chamber orchestras, both as a collaborator and soloist. He has realized numerous innovative musical ideas in his concerts and has performed with a wide variety of instruments. He has collaborated with jazz musician László Dés across Hungary, combining organ with jazz and the distinctive sound of the saxophone. With Márta Sebestyén, he created a synthesis of sacred and folk musical elements, building a successful concert series by exploring and connecting distant musical traditions. He conceived and created a “sound–space–image” project with Norwegian harmonica artist Sigmund Groven, a collaboration that required both artists’ musical sensitivity and humility - just one example of his many instrumental partnerships. His performances are characterized by great energy. Every concert offers his audience new and unusual musical experiences. His improvisations incorporate his musical talents, featuring momentum, confident instrumental command, and a wide emotional range. He boldly exploits the tonal colors of the organ. He is the initiator of several concert series and music festivals, including the Con Spirito Church Music Festival, the OrganPoint series realized at more than 100 locations across Hungary, and the highly popular Night of the Organs program series. Between 1994 and 2013, he worked as organist and music director of the Pécs Basilica. He is currently the music director of Szeged Cathedral.