Róbert Kovács
An internationally renowned organist and church musician who, in his concerts, showcases the richness of Central European organ culture and the art of improvisation.
professional achievements
Schlägl Nemzetközi Improvizációs Verseny – I. díj és közönségdíj
2008
Haarlem Nemzetközi Improvizációs Verseny – I. díj
2006
Haarlem Nemzetközi Improvizációs Verseny – döntős
2004
Az Osztrák Kulturális Minisztérium díja
2000
Anton Heiller Improvizációs Verseny, Bécs – II. díj
1998
Salgótarjáni Orgonafesztivál – I. díj
1994
beginnings
Róbert Kovács was born in Zalaegerszeg. He began his musical studies at the age of five as a pianist, before turning to the organ at the age of twelve. He laid the foundations for his studies under the guidance of György Peskó and Endre Virágh, and in 1994 he won first prize at the Salgótarján Organ Festival competition.
He then went on to study at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna under Hans Haselböck and Peter Planyavsky, where he graduated with a degree in church music and organ performance.
He has been the organist at the Augustinerkirche in Vienna since 1996. Throughout his career, he has collaborated regularly with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the ORF Orchestra and the Tonkünstlerorchester Niederösterreich. As a soloist, he has performed in numerous European countries, as well as in Japan, the United States, Israel, Syria and Russia.
St. Stephen's Basilica
Róbert Kovács’s earliest memories of the organ at St Stephen’s Basilica date back to the time when the instrument was being built. As a young student, under the guidance of Endre Virágh, he was introduced to the organ console under construction at the Váradi and Son organ-building workshop. For him, this experience marked the beginning of an era in which Hungarian organ-building gained new momentum.
In recent years, he has had the opportunity to return to the Basilica’s organ on several occasions, and following its restoration, he has been able to appreciate it once again in all its splendour. In his view, the restoration of the historic Angster organ was not merely the renewal of an instrument, but also the preservation of one of the outstanding treasures of Hungarian organ culture.
Today, the restored instrument serves both the liturgy and concert life with distinction. The Basilica’s organ is one of the outstanding examples of the Hungarian organ-building tradition, and it can once again take its rightful place amongst Europe’s most significant concert organs.
At the Stephanus International Organ Festival
As a guest artist at the Stephanus International Organ Festival, Róbert Kovács will give a concert on an instrument whose history he has been following for many years. His performance brings together his experience of the international concert scene and the Central European organ tradition with the unique sound of the restored main organ at St Stephen’s Basilica.
His concert also serves as a tribute to the history of the instrument, its builders and all those who have contributed to ensuring that the Basilica’s organ once again occupies its rightful place amongst Europe’s leading concert organs.