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Hungarian composer and pianist György Kurtág, a towering figure in 20th and contemporary classical music, has been awarded the prestigious Public Media’s Person of the Year Award for 2024. The recognition, bestowed by Hungary’s public service media (MTVA), celebrates Kurtág’s monumental contributions to Hungarian classical music and his lifelong dedication to music education and composition.
Mr. Kurtág, who has received numerous honors throughout his career—including the Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit, two Kossuth Prizes, and the international Wolf Prize for Music—continues to be a pivotal force in the cultural and musical landscape. His works have gained international acclaim, elevating Hungary’s reputation as a center of musical excellence.
MTVA emphasized Kurtág’s profound influence, both as an artist and as a human being.
György Kurtág’s entire life and presence is an example to be followed. His works have toured the world, promoting the high quality of Hungarian music culture and education,”
the statement noted.
The 98-year-old composer has also been lauded for his dedication to learning and teaching. “He sets an example not only with his works but also with his way of life. Daily events are as significant to him as art, science, or the cultivation of ancient traditions,” the announcement read.
Born in 1926, in Lugoj, Banat (Lugos, Romania), Kurtág’s journey in music began with studies in Timisoara (Temesvár) before advancing to Budapest’s Academy of Music. After graduating in piano, chamber music, and composition, he became a tutor for the National Philharmonic Orchestra and later a professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music.
Kurtág’s works, characterized by their emotional depth and innovative structures, have earned him a reputation as one of the foremost composers of his generation.
His 1981 work, Messages of the Blessed R. V. Truszova, catapulted him to international fame. His first opera, Fin de partie, based on Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, premiered at Milan’s La Scala in 2018, after a decade of creative effort.
Despite his advanced age, Kurtág remains an active composer, currently working on his second opera with unwavering enthusiasm.
Established in 2020, the Public Media’s Person of the Year Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to society through their exceptional achievements. Previous recipients include Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Katalin Karikó, four-time Olympic fencing champion Áron Szilágyi, and Nobel laureate physicist Ferenc Krausz.
The award ceremony will take place at a later date, with a documentary, The Three Kurtágs, set to air on January 2, on Duna TV channel in his honor.
Via MTI; Featured image via Facebook/BMC-Budapest Music Center