Géza Szilvay
Encyclopedia
Géza Szilvay is a Finnish violin
pedagogue, founder and conductor
of the Helsinki Strings
and principal of the East Helsinki Music Institute.
Szilvay studied the violin at the Béla Bartók Conservatory and violin pedagogics at the Budapest Music Academy, where he graduated in 1966. He also studied law and political science
at the ELTE University in Budapest and took his doctor's degree in 1970. Szilvay has been teaching the violin at the East Helsinki Music Institute since 1971, and at the world-renowned Sibelius Academy
since 1978. In 1984 he was appointed principal of the East Helsinki Music Institute. In 2009 Szilvay was named as professor by the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen
.
Szilvay and his brother Csaba Szilvay
have gained international recognition both as string
pedagogues and as conductors and educators of children's and youth orchestras. They are authors of the Colourstrings method
based on Zoltán Kodály
's philosophy
, which at present comprises 40 publications, and they have given 150 lectures on this teaching method and philosophy all over the world. In recognition of their work for youth culture
they were awarded the Knight Order of the Finnish Lion
in 1981, the Culture Prize of Finland in 1983, the Hungarian State Award for Cultural Activity in 1990, the Culture Prize of Helsinki in 1995, the Pro Musica
Award in 1999, and the International Kodály Prize in 2007.
Violinist Réka Szilvay
is the daughter of Géza Szilvay.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
pedagogue, founder and conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
of the Helsinki Strings
Helsinki Strings
The Helsinki Strings is a world-renowned youth orchestra based in Helsinki, Finland....
and principal of the East Helsinki Music Institute.
Szilvay studied the violin at the Béla Bartók Conservatory and violin pedagogics at the Budapest Music Academy, where he graduated in 1966. He also studied law and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the ELTE University in Budapest and took his doctor's degree in 1970. Szilvay has been teaching the violin at the East Helsinki Music Institute since 1971, and at the world-renowned Sibelius Academy
Sibelius Academy
The Sibelius Academy is a university-level music school which operates in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland. It also has an adult education centre in Järvenpää and a training centre in Seinäjoki. The Academy is the only music university in Finland. It is among the biggest European music universities...
since 1978. In 1984 he was appointed principal of the East Helsinki Music Institute. In 2009 Szilvay was named as professor by the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen
Tarja Halonen
Tarja Kaarina Halonen is the incumbent President of Finland. The first female to hold the office, Halonen had previously been a member of the parliament from 1979 to 2000 when she resigned after her election to the presidency...
.
Szilvay and his brother Csaba Szilvay
Csaba Szilvay
Csaba Szilvay is a Finnish cello pedagogy and founder and conductor of the Helsinki Strings.Csaba Szilvay studied the cello at the Béla Bartók Conservatory and the Budapest Music Academy as a student of professor Antal Friss...
have gained international recognition both as string
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
pedagogues and as conductors and educators of children's and youth orchestras. They are authors of the Colourstrings method
Method (music)
In music, a method is a kind of textbook for a specified musical instrument or a selected problem of playing a certain instrument.A method usually contains fingering charts or tablatures, etc., scales and numerous different exercises, sometimes also simple etudes, in different keys, in ascending...
based on Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály
Zoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is best known internationally as the creator of the Kodály Method.-Life:Born in Kecskemét, Kodály learned to play the violin as a child....
's philosophy
Kodály Method
The Kodály Method, also referred to as the Kodály Concept, is an approach to music education developed in Hungary during the mid-twentieth century by Zoltán Kodály...
, which at present comprises 40 publications, and they have given 150 lectures on this teaching method and philosophy all over the world. In recognition of their work for youth culture
Youth subculture
A youth subculture is a youth-based subculture with distinct styles, behaviors, and interests. Youth subcultures offer participants an identity outside of that ascribed by social institutions such as family, work, home and school...
they were awarded the Knight Order of the Finnish Lion
Order of the Lion of Finland
There are three official orders in Finland: the Order of the Cross of Liberty, the Order of the White Rose of Finland and the Order of the Lion of Finland . The President of Finland is the Grand Master of all three orders. The orders are administered by boards consisting of a chancellor, a...
in 1981, the Culture Prize of Finland in 1983, the Hungarian State Award for Cultural Activity in 1990, the Culture Prize of Helsinki in 1995, the Pro Musica
Pro Musica
Pro Musica may refer to:* Seattle Pro Musica* New York Pro Musica* Oxford Pro Musica Singers...
Award in 1999, and the International Kodály Prize in 2007.
Violinist Réka Szilvay
Réka Szilvay
Réka Szilvay is a Finnish classical violinist, and was appointed as the professor of violin music at the Sibelius Academy in 2006....
is the daughter of Géza Szilvay.