Kurtág 100 | Thomas Adès masterclass

Kurtág 100 | Thomas Adès masterclass

Workshop for Conductors and Composers

Featuring UMZE Ensemble
4–9 May 2026
Budapest, Hungary

The Peter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation announces a workshop for conductors and composers focusing on cimbalom solo and chamber music between 04-09 May 2026, in Budapest (Hungary). Selected active conductors will have the possibility to work on the Chamber Symphony by Thomas Adès, Da capo by Péter Eötvös and Messages of the Late R.V. Troussova by György Kurtág. Selected composers will have the opportunity to work on a new cimbalom solo piece, which will be performed on the final concert.

The workshop offers working sessions with Thomas Adès, Gregory Vajda, the UMZE Ensemble and a cimbalom soloist.

Thomas Adès (b. 1971, London) is an internationally renowned composer, conductor, and pianist who works with the world’s leading orchestras, opera houses, and festivals. His acclaimed works include the operas The Exterminating Angel, The Tempest, and Powder Her Face, alongside major orchestral, chamber, and solo compositions. He has received numerous international awards and appears regularly as a performer and conductor on the world’s foremost stages.

KEY INFO

• Eligibility: Open to conductors and composers of all nationalities
• Age limit for active participants: 35 years (no age limit for observers)
• Level: Advanced students and professionals with an interest in contemporary music
• Languages of the course: English, Hungarian

PROFESSORS
Gregory Vajda (Hungary/USA) – conductor, composer, program director

Thomas Adès (UK) – composer, conductor, pianist (guest professor)

COURSE PROGRAM FOR CONDUCTORS

Consultations, rehearsals and concert, conductor camera recording during concert and concert recording.

Thomas Adès: Chamber Symphony (conducted by 4 students, one/movement) (Faber, 1995) https://www.fabermusic.com/music/chamber-symphony-2009

Péter Eötvös: Da capo (Mit Fragmenten aus W. A. Mozarts Fragmenten) (conducted by 2 students) (EMB, 2014)

https://www.umpemb.com/hu-HU/Catalogue.aspx/details/454811

György Kurtág: Messages of the Late R.V. Troussova (EMB, 1982)

https://www.kotta.info/en/product/12021/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Messages-of-the-Late-R-V-Troussova

Thorough and detailed knowledge of all works is a requirement of active participation. Each participant must provide his/her own scores. The new pieces will be sent to selected active conductors 1 month prior to the workshop if possible.

APPLICATION MATERIAL FOR ACTIVE CONDUCTORS

• Online application form
• Video recording
• Curriculum vitae with repertoire list
• Portrait photo

All applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s website:
http://eotvosmusicfoundation.org/?node=application

Up to 6 conductors will be selected as active participants. The selection will take place based on the video recordings (youtube links) provided by the applicants. Regarding the videos, we kindly ask you to send us recordings of rehearsals instead of concerts, and we also recommend choosing 20^th or 21st century repertoire for conducting. Please, send only one link, cut or a link of a playlist. The number of conductors selected by the professors is subject to change. We notify the selected conductors first and gradually all other applicants are invited to join as observers.

COURSE PROGRAM FOR COMPOSERS

Each applicant is asked to submit an excerpt of a 5-minute cimbalom solo piece, which will be further developed during the workshop with the soloist and professors Thomas Adès and Gregory Vajda.

The closing presentation of the masterclass will be a concert version of the solo cimbalom pieces alongside the pieces by Thomas Adès, Péter Eötvös and György Kurtág.

Each composer will receive an audio recording of their work after the workshop.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPOSERS

Each applicant must submit at least a one-third of the completed musical score of a 5-minute cimbalom solo piece.

Please upload your score under 'Own Piece' in the application.

APPLICATION MATERIAL FOR ACTIVE COMPOSERS

• Online application form
• Curriculum vitae
• Musical score (as described above)
• Portrait photo

All applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s website:
http://eotvosmusicfoundation.org/?node=application

OBSERVER PARTICIPATION

Applicants not selected as active participants are welcome to attend the masterclass as observers, if desired. You may also apply only as an observer. Please select the appropriate option in the online application form.

Observers may attend all rehearsals, the public meeting, and the closing concert. Due to the special nature of this program, we highly recommend this unique opportunity.

DEADLINES AND IMPORTANT DATES

Selection will be completed by end of March 2026. Selected participants will be contacted first; all others will be invited to join as observers.

Application deadline: 15 March 2026
Confirmation of active status: by 1 April 2026

Please confirm your participation promptly after selection so we may offer places to candidates on the waiting list if needed.

COURSE FEES

• Active participants: €1000
• Observers: €200

(Both to be paid by 08 April 2026 via bank transfer)

Bank details:
Peter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation
Bank: K&H Bank Budapest
IBAN: HU76 1020 1006 6019 4912 0000 0000
BIC: OKHBHUHB

Partial attendance does not entitle participants to a reduced fee. We accept payment via bank transfer only.

The fee includes free admission to evening jazz concerts at Opus Jazz Club (within the Budapest Music Center), and access to public meetings and concerts organized by the Foundation.

Note: Travel, accommodation, and meals are not included. Participants are responsible for their own arrangements. We are happy to assist with finding accommodation nearby. Our hotel partner is Ibis Budapest Centrum, and we recommend their services.

COURSE SCHEDULE (DRAFT)

4 May

09:00 – Registration at Budapest Music Center
15:00 – 17:00 - Introductory meeting with Thomas Adès and Gregory Vajda
18:00 – mustMEET: Composer series

5–8 May

10:00 – 17:30 - Rehearsals and sessions with UMZE Ensemble, Thomas Adès and Gregory Vajda

9 May

10:00 – 13:00 - Dress rehearsal
19:00 – Closing concert at the concert hall of BMC

CERTIFICATES

• Active participants will receive a diploma
• Observers will receive a certificate of attendance, signed by all professors

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to: Budapest Music Center, UMZE Ensemble, Askonas Holt