Budapest Symphony Orchestra MAV

The Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV, founded in 1945 by the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV), was originally created to bring cultural healing to the country in the aftermath of World War II. Its formation was driven by László Varga, then head of MÁV, who believed that an orchestra touring the nation could help soothe the emotional wounds left by the war. Specially designed railway cars allowed the musicians and their instruments to travel easily across Hungary, sharing classical music with towns far and wide. Over time, the orchestra evolved from a group of mostly amateur players into one of Hungary’s leading professional ensembles, renowned for its rich and diverse repertoire spanning from baroque to contemporary works.

The MÁV Symphony Orchestra has a proud history of collaboration with world-famous conductors and soloists, and it gained international acclaim through tours in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. One of its highlights was performing at the Tokyo Dome in 1999 with the legendary Three Tenors—José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti—before an audience of 32,000. The orchestra is also noted for its recordings of Hungarian composers like Zádor and Weiner, helping to preserve and promote Hungary’s classical music heritage globally. Friendly and versatile, the Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV continues to be a vital cultural ambassador, connecting audiences with the power of symphonic music.

Genres

Orchestra

Folk

Classical

Contemporary Classical

Chamber Music

Baroque

Orchestral Music

Romantic Music

Symphonic Music

Related Artists

Budapest Festival Orchestra

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Hungarian State Opera Orchestra

Orchestre National De Lyon

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra

London Symphony Orchestra

London Philharmonic Orchestra

Philharmonia Hungarica

Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Latest Release

Zádor: Orchestral Works

Eugene Zador•

Budapest Symphony Orchestra MAV•

Mariusz Smolij

Album - 13 Tracks - Released August 23, 2024