"I have my dear parents to thank for everything. I was only six when they started taking me to concerts. Of course, initially, we would only stay for the first half. I was a regular concertgoer as a little girl; and, to be honest, I was also tremendously attracted by the caviar sandwiches available in the Liszt Academy snack bar during the intermissions. Served with a slice of lemon. You remember, right? I can still taste them now. We were there at all the important events, and my father, a mathematician, would always run into one of his colleagues there. One night there was something special in the air. I didn’t know it, but I felt that something life-changing was afoot. I was twelve at the time. If someone had told me that night, when the Festival Orchestra was established, that twenty-nine years later I would be playing in that orchestra, I would certainly not have believed them. Later, during my years as a student, I attended many of their concerts and listened to their recordings until I wore them out. And then came the tremendous nervousness I felt before trying out for the orchestra. You have no idea of the anxiety involved until you’ve been in the same position. But there are two things I will never forget. First, just how helpful Tamás Major was when he came to my assistance to adjust the stand to my “shortness.” And second, how all of my anxiety vanished in the presence of Iván. It was such a wonderful feeling to be so reassured by the words he said to me. One year later I became a member of this fantastic orchestra. I am immensely grateful for this."

Click here to read Eszter’s professional biography. And click here to read her thoughts about our Baroque performances; and read a concert preview from one of our previous Baroque performances.