Jury Member – SZABÓ Balázs

SZABÓ Balázs

Over the past several years he has succeeded in wiping the dust off the organ and establishing a new reputation for this instrument. He enjoys a highly varied performing career on a wide spectrum of keyboard instruments, including the organ, piano, harpsichord and his special instrument: the harmonium d’art.

Balázs Szabó began his musical studies at the age of 15. He graduated from the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and continued his studies in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands (organ, church music, musicology and organ building). During his studies his most important mentor was Christoph Bossert. He also completed the only existing International Master for Organ Experts in Rome and Trossingen.

In 2015 he received his Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology in Utrecht, and in 2022 he completed his habilitation in Budapest.

He won first prizes at renowned international organ competitions: St. Maurice (2007, CH), Biarritz (2009, FR) and Nürnberg ION (DE), and second prizes in Chartres (2014, FR), Wiesbaden (2009, DE) and Heidelberg (2008, DE).

In 2010 he received the City of Miskolc Standard of Excellence Award and the Junior Prima Prize, and in 2015 the Múzsa Award.

Since 2011 he has held a teaching position at the Liszt Academy of Music, where he is Head of Organ Studies.

In 2024 he was appointed University Professor at one of the world’s oldest and most renowned institutions for music and the performing arts, the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, as the successor of Martin Haselböck.

Balázs Szabó is a renowned specialist in the music of Max Reger. In 2016 both his double CD release featuring all seven chorale fantasias and his groundbreaking publication received high international acclaim.