The ECoC and Me - Ambassadors

Pannon Philharmonic

Established in 1811 and institutionalised in 1984, the symphony orchestra of Pécs, today called the Pannon Philharmonic, has been an important representative of the musical culture of South Transdanubia for 200 years. Revived in 2003, the institution set as its main goal to perform high quality, exciting and innovative music. The revival of the institution also meant artistic and organisational renewal. Artistic revival is marked by the name of Zsolt Hamar, Liszt Prize-holder conductor, the musical director of the Pannon Philharmonic. The introduction of a more thorough system of professional preparation, a new repertoire expanded with contemporary pieces, new programmes that meet social demand and creative, unique and high standard projects have all resulted in an increase in professional quality.

Organisational renewal is the result of the work of Zsolt Horváth, trumpet-player and the economic manager of the orchestra. Thanks to the reorganisation there are now two orchestras within the institution with two clearly distinct profiles: a concert orchestra and a chamber symphonic orchestra, and this new structure provides a better opportunity for both orchestras to perform at a higher professional level. The use of high-level marketing tools that match the high professional level of the orchestras, the introduction of novel projects and active participation in the cultural and social network produce effective co-operation, many-coloured visibility and the ability to quickly respond to new challenges.

The results of the constantly developing professional work of the 73-strong Pannon Philharmonic concert orchestra is recognised by national and international music criticism alike. The orchestra is a regular guest performer at the Budapest Spring Festival and works with famous Hungarian and foreign guest performers like Leopold Hager, Zoltán Kocsis and Maxim Vengerov. Following the revival it accepted several prestigious international invitations and performed, among others, at the Konzerthaus in Vienna as part of the season ticket series of the Vienna Philharmonic, the 23rd Biannual of Contemporary Music in Zagreb and in 2006 the Pannon Philharmonic gave the closing concert of the event commemorating 1956 in the Stephansdom in Vienna.

Further information: www.pannonfilharmonikusok.hu