Gabriel Balint

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Gabriel Balint is a conductor, born 15.4.1949 in Budapest. He started his musical studies at an age of 7 by violin and piano, 2 years later by trombone and tuba. He continued his studies at Béla Bartók Music School. He took his artistic degree in 1970. Afterwards he was working as musician in Postás Orchestra (Symphony Orchestra). He has absolved his studies as conductor privately, first of all at András Kóródi professor of the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy, then at Miklós Lukács, director of the Hungarian State Opera House. Several times attended the courses and the rehearsals of Antal Doráti, Sir Georg Solti, Lovro von Matacic, Carlo Zecchi, Giuseppe Patané, Lamberto Gardelli etc.

In 1988 he founded the János Ferencsik Chamber Orchestra. Besides his orchestra he was guest conductor of other orchestras, as well director invited (Philharmonia Hungarica Marl, Philharmonie Essen, Bochumer Simphoniker, Sinfonicorchester Basel, Sophia Philharmonic, Zagrab Philharmonic etc.)

He conducted several world premiers, for example: Bálint Depisch: Symphonie in B major, Mozart: 13 Kontrataenze (counterdances by Mozart), Ludvig von Vasady: Ballad for string-orchestra and Rhapsody for contrabass and chamber orchestra, Ferenc Farkas: The Festive Psalm for orchestra and for male choir, László Kondorossy: Cymbalconcerto, László Király: Youth-Concert for Flute.

Known Hungarian artists and artists abroad were regular guest on his concerts, like János Sebestyén, András Molnár, Julia Kukely, Endre Kovács, Bertalan Hock, György Geiger, Ede Inhoff, Béla Drahos, Tomkins ensemble, Wolfgang Rath, Andrea Lamacchia, Cristina Biagini, Marco Marzocchi, István Ruha.

Several radio and television interviews were made about his concerts and even the press estimated them.

His repertory embraces works from 1700-years until nowadays, the most important symphonic, oratorical works and operas.

In October 2007, he founded the Chelsea Blues Orchestra, as a fan of English Premier League football club Chelsea FC. The wind orchestra performs Chelsea club anthems and compositions connected to the blue colour.