Berlin, Berlin, Germany
In 2007, János Starker described his compatriot as "an exceptionally gifted young cellist" with the potential for a world career. Since then, Ildikó Szabó has lived up to this claim: the Hungarian artist has won prizes at 16 international competitions, including at the Pablo Casals Cello Competition in 2014 at which she won a total of eight prizes. “A true artist who enjoys being on stage and manages to perform to the absolute best of her capabilities in front of an audience” says Iván Fischer who has collaborated with her on multiple occasions, where she performed as a soloist with the Budapest Festival Orchestra. She has also performed with the Concerto Budapest, Hungarian Radio Orchestra, Magdeburgische Philharmonie, Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Ildikó stems from a family of great musical traditions. From the age of 11, she studied with László Mező at the Liszt Academy and attended master classes with János Starker, before she began her studies with Jens Peter Maintz at the UdK Berlin in 2011. She later continued her studies at the HfM Weimar and Kronberg Academy with Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt. “Her technique is impeccable, her sound is warm and flexible. Her interpretations are both intelligent and heartfelt.” She played at festivals such as the Rheingau Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, OCM Prussia Cove, BBC at Hay, Piatigorsky Cello Festival, and the Krzyżowa Music. Previous venues have included the Mariinski-Theater, Elbphilharmonie, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Fondation Louis Vuitton (as a laureate of Gautier Capucon's "Classe d’Excellence”), Walt Disney Hall, as well as the Liszt Academy and the Palace of Arts Budapest. She has performed with conductors including Iván Fischer, Michael Sanderling, Luciano di Martino, Zsolt Hamar, and Leo McFall. She has cooperated with artists such as Arnold Steinhardt, Ferenc Rados, Kirill Gerstein, Tabea Zimmermann, and Matthias Schorn on numerous chamber music projects. Szabó has a particular passion for Hungarian and Transylvanian repertoire - she has developed personal relationships with György Kurtág and Péter Eötvös. Her solo album “Heritage” (2020) - which was nominated for the German Record Critics’ Award - features world premiere recordings of works by György Kurtág and Csaba Szabó. Her mentor Alfred Brendel described the recording as “substantial interpretations by a very special young cellist.” The next recording project came about at his suggestion: the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven were released in March 2023 with pianist István Lajkó.
Taking over the chamber music class of Johanna Staemmler until July 2026.