"We received terrible, incomprehensible news today: our dear musician and friend, founding member of the BFO, bassoonist Sándor Patkós passed away unexpectedly this morning. He had been feeling unwell for a few days, but he did not consider his condition severe enough to see a doctor. He died in his sleep and did not wake up in the morning. BFO will provide funeral honours for him. We mourn with deep shock and extend our sympathy to his family and beloved ones.

I worked with Sanyi for 30 years. I have always admired his outstanding human and musical qualities, I owe a lot to him. His unexpected departure leaves a huge void, an inconceivable loss for our orchestra and for me.

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to everyone who has been close to him, especially to his family, friends and members of the bassoon section.”

Iván Fischer

Sándor Patkós was born in 1963 in Mezőtúr (South-Eastern Hungary). He started to learn music at the age of eight, first as a clarinetist, later as a bassoon player. After four years in a secondary music schoool, in 1981 he was admitted to the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where his professor was Gábor Janota. He was still student of the Academy when he became member of the Budapest Wind Ensemble, with which he has performed in almost every country of Europe, in Japan and the USA. Having spent seven years in the orchestra of the Hungarian National Opera House, he became member of the Budapest Festival Orchestra in 1992.

May he rest in peace.