Joint concert of Philipp Pelster and László Tóth

Although the trumpet has traditionally been regarded as the timpani’s best friend throughout the centuries of music history - and trumpeters and drummers even founded a joint guild in earlier times - organ–trumpet programmes continue to enjoy great success at the concerts of Filharmónia Magyarország. The power, colour, dignity, and brilliance of the two instruments complement each other remarkably well. This year, the organ season also includes such a pairing.

Organist Philipp Pelster studied organ and church music at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. In 2008 he continued his studies with Martin Sander at the Hochschule für Musik in Basel. He received his master’s degree in organ performance in 2010, followed by additional musicological studies at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe and the University of Salzburg. He earned his doctorate in 2014. Since that year, he has been a lecturer in musicology at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. Also in 2014, he was appointed professor of organ and improvisation for the Archdiocese of Salzburg, and he coordinates all organ-building, restoration, and renovation projects within the Archdiocese. In September 2022, he was appointed organist of Salzburg Cathedral.

Trumpeter László Tóth has been a member of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra since 2001. In 2008 the orchestra awarded him the title of Orchestral Artist of the Season by secret ballot. He currently serves as principal trumpet. As a member of the Pro Art Quartet, he frequently performs at renowned international festivals. In 2011 he represented Hungary in Brazil at the Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival, where he gave a masterclass in Baroque performance practice. In 2013 he appeared as soloist in Ferenc Farkas’s Concertino V for trumpet and string orchestra, a work featured on the Farkas recording released by Toccata Classics. Since 2013 he has been a teacher at the Béla Bartók Secondary School of Music. He is the regular solo trumpeter of the organ concerts at St Stephen’s Basilica. He often performs with opera singer Erika Miklósa and organist Dániel Somogyi-Tóth in cathedrals across Hungary and beyond. László Tóth’s repertoire spans historical Baroque music, classical works, and contemporary compositions. He is in frequent demand as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player both in Hungary and with renowned international ensembles.