Biography

stván Várdai is highly regarded for his joyous energy, rhythmic vigour and elegant grace in his soulful renditions of solo, chamber music and orchestral repertoire for cello. In his third season as Artistic Director of Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, he continues to present inspiring and creative programmes. Alongside this, István welcomes world-renowned musicians at the Kapostfest Chamber Music Festival in Hungary, which he co-curates with violinist Kristóf Baráti, and continues his soloist career with leading orchestras performing repertoire from Bach to Péter Eötvös. 

In 2022/23 István Várdai plays with Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra under Modestas Pitrenas, Orchestre National du Capitole Toulouse under Domingo Hindoyan, Hungarian National Philharmonic and Janácek Philharmonic Ostrava under Lawrence Foster, as well as Liechstenstein and Bournemouth symphony orchestras. Past seasons’ highlights include engagements with Orchestre national d’Île-de-France with Case Scaglione, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra with Mark Wigglesworth, the Hallé with Jamie Phillipsand Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra with Susanna Mälkki. 

István Várdai and Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra welcome violonists Akiko Suwanai, Liza Ferschtman, Luosha Fang, Júlia Pusker, pianists Gábor Farkas, Benjamin Grosvenor and the flautist Emmanuel Pahud in Budapest for FLCO’s series at the Grand Hall of the Liszt Academy.