Music from the Heart - Concert by István "Szalonna" Pál and his Band

István "Szalonna" Pál and his Band, who received the Hungarian Heritage Award, were brought to life by their love of the folk music of the Carpathian Basin. Their music is a joyful music that makes our traditional culture as well as the culture of other nationalities living with us understandable and lovable for all ages. The heart-stopping slow melodies, the virtuoso “legényes” (men’s solo) dances, the special world of the Csárdás music, are all part of their repertoire. Their instruments include the flutes and bagpipes of the traditional peasant world, the robust sound of stringed instruments, as well as the dulcimer and “tárogató”, which have become a worthy Hungaricum. All of this is enriched by the sound of the most beautiful instrument, the human voice.

To this day, the members of the orchestra are still musicians of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, recently awarded the Prima Primissima prize, which is now in its seventieth year. István Pál was awarded the Liszt Ferenc Prize in 2015 and was appointed Artistic Director of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble in 2017.  On 12 March 2019, he received the Artist of Merit of Hungary award. Members of the band: István "Szalonna” Pál - violin, vocal, Eszter Pál - vocal, Tamás Gombai - violin, Attila Gera - wind instruments, Gyula Karacs - viola, Sándor Ürmös - dulcimer, Róbert Doór - bass.