Kurtág 100 | From Piano Miniatures To Full Evening Opera

2026.11.10. - 2026.11.14.
Budapest, Budapest Music Center

Workshop for pianists and composers

Budapest, 10-14 November 2026

Kurtág 100 | From Piano Miniatures To Full Evening Opera

Workshop for Pianists and Composers

10–14 November 2026
Budapest, Hungary

The Peter Eötvös Contemporary Music Foundation announces a workshop for pianists and composers focusing on contemporary solo piano pieces and contemporary operas between 10-14 November 2026, in Budapest (Hungary). Selected active pianists will have the possibility to work on pieces by György Kurtág, Fabián Panisello, and Péter Eötvös. Selected composers will have the opportunity to work on a new piano solo piece inspired by piano compositions and operas of György Kurtág and Fabián Panisello. The new pieces will be performed on the final concert.

The workshop offers working sessions with Fabián Panisello, Gregory Vajda, Duncan Gifford and Péter Kiss.

Fabián Panisello (Argentina/Spain) is internationally recognised for his work as a composer, conductor, and educator, maintaining the highest standards across all three fields. A leading figure in 20th- and 21st-century music, he is also a passionate advocate for emerging composers.

Internationally sought after conductor Gregory Vajda (Hungary/ USA) is also known as an established composer whose music has been commissioned and presented by major orchestras, ensembles and festivals all over the globe.

Australian pianist Duncan Gifford is an internationally acclaimed artist and prizewinner. Alongside his concert career, Gifford has built a distinguished discography featuring acclaimed recordings of Debussy, Schumann, and contemporary repertoire, and has been based in Madrid since 1997, where he combines an active performing schedule with teaching.

Hungarian pianist Péter Kiss completed his DLA dissertation in 2018 on the interpretation of György Kurtág’s notation through the example of the Játékok cycle. He has taught at the Liszt Academy of Music since 2014, has presented workshops in Hungary, Chicago, and New Delhi, and performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, collaborating with leading performers and composers.

KEY INFO

  • Eligibility: Open to pianists 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
Fabián Panisello (Argentina/Spain) – composer, conductor

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

Duncan Gifford (Australia) – pianist

Péter Kiss (Hungary) – pianist

COURSE PROGRAM FOR PIANISTS

Consultations, lessons and concert, high quality concert recording.

Piano works by Fabián Panisello:

From Piano Etudes, Book I (Litolff/Peters EP No. 11259)

https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/69053/Klavieretden-Etudes-1--6--Fabi%C3%A1n-Panisello/

No. 2 – Chroma II
No. 3 – Chroma III
No. 4 – Chroma IV

Audio:
https://fabianpanisello.com/estudios-para-piano/

From Piano Etudes, Book II (Litolff/Peters EP No. 14103)

https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/67489/Klavieretuden-Etudes-7--12--Fabi%C3%A1n-Panisello/

No. 9 – Aksaks II
No. 11 – Mixturen I
No. 12 – Fulgurar

Audio:
https://fabianpanisello.com/estudios-para-piano/

Japanese Pictures (Litolff/Peters EP No. 12682)

https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/66370/Japanese-Pictures--Fabi%C3%A1n-Panisello/

Audio:
https://fabianpanisello.com/japanese-pictures/

I Don’t Feel Low (Litolff/Peters EP No. 12714)

https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/66330/I-dont-feel-low--Fabi%C3%A1n-Panisello/

Audio:
https://fabianpanisello.com/i-dont-feel-low/

Piano works by György Kurtág:

Eight Piano Pieces

https://www.universaledition.com/en/8-Klavierstuecke/P0343084

Audio:
https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Eight-Piano-Pieces/P0005241

Splinters

https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/8735/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Szalkak

Selection of the Games cycle, volumes: I-III, V-VII, IX-XI

I: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/8377/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-I

II: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/8378/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-II

III: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/8379/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-III

V: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/14002/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-V

VI: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/14068/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-VI

VII: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/14069/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-VII

IX: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/14784/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-IX

X: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/15150/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-X

XI: https://www.kotta.info/hu/product/15301/KURTAG-GYOERGY-Jatekok-XI

Piano works by Péter Eötvös:

Kosmos

https://www.scribd.com/document/737275358/Eotvos-Peter-Kosmos-1961

Audio:
https://eotvospeter.com/piece/kosmos/

Dances of the Brush-footed Butterfly

https://www.schott-music.com/en/dances-of-the-brush-footed-butterfly-noc305466.html

Audio:
https://eotvospeter.com/piece/dances-of-the-brush-footed-butterfly/

Fünf frühe Klavierstücke

https://www.schott-music.com/en/five-early-piano-pieces-noc278978.html#id=278978

Audio:
https://eotvospeter.com/piece/5-klavierstucke/

Erdenklavier-Himmelklavier 1st and 2nd version

https://www.schott-music.com/en/erdenklavier-himmelklavier-noc175232.html#id=175232

Audio:
https://eotvospeter.com/piece/erdenklavier-himmelklavier-version-i/
https://eotvospeter.com/piece/erdenklavier-himmelklavier-version-ii/

Un taxi l’attend mais Tchékhov préfère aller à pied.

https://www.universaledition.com/en/Piano-Project/P0290071

Audio:
https://eotvospeter.com/piece/un-taxi-lattend-mais-tchekhov-prefere-aller-a-pied/

Pianists must choose at least 5 minutes music from György Kurtág, plus either one Panisello or one Eötvös piano piece. In case of choosing from Games by György Kurtág, please let us know via e-mail, or during the application process, which pieces you’d like to play.

Thorough and detailed knowledge of all chosen works is a requirement of active participation. Each participant must provide his/her own scores.

APPLICATION MATERIAL FOR ACTIVE PIANISTS

  • Online application form
  • Uncut video recording
  • Curriculum vitae with repertoire list
  • High quality portrait photo

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

Please select "conductor" for the time being.

Up to 6 pianists 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 20th or 21st century repertoire. Please, send only one link, or a link of a playlist. The number of pianists selected by the professors is subject to change. We notify the selected pianists 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 piano solo piece, which will be further developed during the workshop with the piano soloists and professors. The piece should be a short miniature, or string of miniatures following the pattern of Games by György Kurtág, inspired by one of the piano compositions or operas by György Kurtág, Fabián Panisello or Péter Eötvös.

The closing presentation of the masterclass will be a concert version of the piano pieces alongside the compositions by Fabián Panisello, György Kurtág and Péter Eötvös.

Each composer will receive an audio and video recording of their work after the workshop free of charge.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPOSERS

Each applicant must submit at least 80% of the completed musical score of an approx. 5-minute piano 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)
  • High quality portrait photo

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

Up to 6 composers will be selected as active participants. The selection will take place based on the video piano scores provided by the applicants. The number of composers selected by the professors is subject to change. We notify the selected composers first and gradually all other applicants are invited to join as observers.

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

Application deadline: 15 September 2026
EARLY BIRD Application for composers only: 1 September 2026
Confirmation of active status: by 1 October 2026

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

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

COURSE FEES

  • Active participants (both pianists and composers): €400
  • EARLY BIRD fee for composers only: €200
  • Observers: €100

(All to be paid by 10 October 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)

10 November 09:00 – Registration at Budapest Music Center

10:00 – 17:00 seminars and workshops for pianists and composers

11-13 November 10:00 – 17:00 seminars and workshops for pianists and composers

14 November 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.