Biography

Thurzó Zoltán was born in Oradea on 13^th of January 1983.

He is a FOUR-TIME Guinness World Records Title Holder concert pianist. 

He is the only pianist in the world who holds four Guinness World Records at the same time, in several piano-related categories.

He began his musical studies at age of five in his hometown, he was supervised by piano teacher Magda Schmidt. One year later (4^th of June 1989) he already appeared at public piano concert. In 2001 he graduated Music High-school, as student of the composer / piano teacher RidzykGyöngyi from Oradea, and piano teacher PallagiIldikó. In the same year it was accepted with success tothe piano department of the University of Oradea, where his professional activity and evolution was supervised by Pârvănescu Lucia respectively Badea-Ficuţ Nicoleta. In 2006 he obtained the piano player diploma / piano teacher – as the studentBadea-Ficuţ Nicoleta.

Performer, who during and after finalizing his studies has concerts regularly in Oradea and other cities from Romania and abroad. One of the most active pianists of his generation. During his studies he could work with renowned masters such as Zoltán Kocsis, Gergely Bogányi or Daniel Barenboim.

 In 2006 and 2007 Oradea City Hall nominated him for the Excellence Award in the category of “Young Artists”. On the 22^nd of January 2012, on the Day of Hungarian Culture, The Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania gave him the Hungarian Culture Award in recognition of his performance.

He grew up in a family of musicians that for several generations were involved in the musical life of Oradea so that they formed a part of the musical history of the city.

The Thurzó family not only takes / took part in the formation of the city’s culture, but it is only one that in its history, archives the musical life of Oradea, from the founding of the city, starting from several centuries ago and up to the present. Thurzó Sándor the historian, musicologist, violinist (17^th of march 1920 – 6^th of september 2009) advised the by the lawyer and musician Dr.SzalayElemér began nearly 100 years ago to gather the unique documentation that constitutes the archive, including the history of music for nearly a thousand years. He was interested in the musical history of the city already in his youth, and was supported for a lifetime by his wife, the opera singer and tapestry artist, born Tyukodi Margit (16^th of September 1921 – 21^st of December 2002).

 

The purpose of the family – that started with the work of Thurzó Sándor – is exploring the musical life of Oradea, and to make it flourish, raising its rank and professional prestige. There are few cities the musical background of which is followed by a single family thatkeeps research results with so much accuracy for several generations, even today.

The children of Thurzó Sándor and Tyukodi Margit, Thurzó Margit Terézia (who by profession was a dental technician, but has learned to play the violin, piano, flute),respectively Thurzó Sándor József (musician who played viola) joined the family determination of manage the huge documentation database.

The classical music culture of Oradea is connected to the great general and renowed European music life with many strong threads. The accurate datas are important for the Thurzó family. The entire music document library is divided  in 13 separate systems and criteria for a better visibility and also for a quick handling. Their documentation repository currently recorded more than 17.429 concert episodes from 1760.  This database naturally is still growing also today. The Thurzó family also counte in addition thirty secondary sources dating back to year 1199. They have a record of 174 local composers, but in addition they have also knowledge about hundreds of performers performing in Oradea, they know all 238 venues where some classical music activity has been known anywhere from 1199 to the present day.  (Also considered one concert venue even in case that the place makes multiple name changes in the meantime)

The pages of classical music history in Oradea  can be added to the whole Hungarian values of the world in a narrower sense, and also to the heritage of all of us.  The Thurzó family’s private historical document collection of music related to Oradea can provide anyone with a compact group of sources.

There are few cities that have a family track their hundreds of years of musical history, leading their research findings precisely, over several generations – as they do today. Oradea is one of such rare cities. As a member of the third generation, Zoltán Thurzó “tasted” this “family tradition” at a young age, and he also received small steps to keep this documentation database / research work up-to-date and up-to-date. It continues the “family tradition” in several respects. After the death of his grandpa – Sándor Thurzó in 2009  –  he took over the family’s Oradea-related music documentation database with his mother (Margit Terézia Thurzó), and he has been working together ever since. Its aim is to present the unique musical past and present of his birth city to future generations.

Thurzó Zoltán as the member of the third generation joined this “family tradition” and with small steps he also contributes / has contributed to the continuous updating of this archive / research, respectively keeping up to date the documentation. He continues the “family tradition” in many respects. After the death of Thurzó Sándor in 2009, together with his mother (Margit Thurzó Terézia) took over the family archivedocuments related to the musical sphere of Oradea. His goal is: to provide future generations the unique past and the present of the music of the city. Through his concerts he wants his audience to become more open towards other nations and other cultures, too.

An important part of his work constitute those solo performances / concerts / chamber concerts through which he interprets the art of: Johann Sebastian Bach, Michael Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, John Field, Robert Schumann, Franz Schubert, Frédéric Chopin, Liszt Ferenc, SergeiRachmaninov, Jean Sibelius, Erik Satie, Richard Addinsell, Bartók Béla, Kodály Zoltán, Sigismund Toduţă, George Enescu, Elise Popovici, Dan Voiculescu, MarcoAurelioBritoCoutinho, Amaral Vieira.

In Romania and later in Brazil his talent was noticed by famous composers already is his childhood.

Several compositions were dedicated to him: Elise Popovici: 1989 – Story; 1990 – Joy, Song; 1991 – Memories, Play; 1993 – Theme and Variations for four hands; Dan Voiculescu: 1993 – Transylvanian Evening Song; Marco A.B.Coutinho: 2002 – CalmariaNo.4., 2009 -Toccata op.114, op.123 Miss., 2010 – Zsolt Foggarasy: The Other Side, 2017 – Fábio Neves: Prelude Op.20, Nr.7, 2018 – Rafael Ribeiro: Ciranda – da suite Aumentada.

He also appears on the CD that contains Marco Aurelio Brito Coutinho’s compositions, the Brazilian composer, besides several performers invited by him, registration that is marketed with great success in Brazil.

Actively participates in the musical life of Oradea not only as an interpreter but also as a concert organizer. More concert series from countyBihor and Oradea are connected to his name, which are the most visited concerts. Organizes various classical music concerts that is followed by the public with huge attention respectively visited in large numbers.

The concerts organized by him, so far, the halls were filled entirely in county Bihor, respectively also in other counties, cities – where this happened very rarely before. His concerts are characterized by great success.

In 2009 he founded the Association of Art “Classic Arts”, and became its president. The aim of the association is to realize a new and high quality musical vision, with the help and by protecting young talented artists.

During piano tourshe tries to propagate classical music byspecial and unique concerts. He talks about musical pieces, general information about music, curiosities and these special concerts generally take place in every locality, town with full halls. He wishes to support the audience so that they will have a better understanding of music by trying to build a bridge between classical music and the public. Sometimes he talks – sings to people at candlelight about the genius artists of old times.

A few years earlier Arabesque Op.18 by Robert Schumann, in his performance was chosen as the best, on several professional web pages respectively related to the art of music. His name was mentioned between performers like Wilhelm Kempff, Vladimir Horowitz and Emil Gilels.

In October 2015, he held the first piano concert in the history of Oradea Fortress, events that were widely followed by public and also by the press.

During the interactive performances in a new vision that sprung out of his imagination, he presents to the public many of his productions, wishing to draw attention through them, in order to gain the love of the world for the Hungarian nation and also the Hungarian culture. ” Do you like Chopin?”, “The World of Strauss… and beyond”, “Dou you like AntalImre? –In the series SzeszélyesÉvszakok”, ” Composers in Love – how they were in really?!”, ” Beyond music…”, ” Musical Folders”- are just a few titles out of those that he uses to addressthe audience through interactive performances and presented in a special way the circumstances in which different composers lived, the fate of people, the world / eras that were already believed to be lost.

He managed to obtain the unanimous recognition of the public and critics at the same time. Up to the present he held piano concerts in 15 locations, where piano music for the first time resounded from under his fingers – from X.^th  century buildings and to those built nowadays.

 

Zoltán Thurzó also managed to gain the unanimous recognition of the audience and the critics.

Since January 2016, in his spare time he also deals with the transcription musical works for orchestra for piano. So he wishes to improve the level of traditional transcripts for piano. He works with musical works for orchestra that so far have not been transcribed so adequately forpiano.

He is one of those artists who keeping his sense of mission in the foreground, tries to address people from a completely different perspective, to talk about music in a “new way” from usual, ordinary attitudes. According to ancient Chinese philosophy, music is a gift from the Heavens, so its principles derive from the laws of the universe and can affect people with extraordinary power.

In a very fast sequence in September and October of 2018^th, Zoltán Thurzó stood in front of the music-loving audience with a big surprise: he released in a similar amount of energy two classical piano CD recordings. He made this two first classical CD albums in Oradea’s classical music life – since 1982, when 120 mm CDs have become standard worldwide and since the CD reached this final dimensions. To make a studio quality recording is a huge responsibility on the part of the performer: he assumes in front of the world the musical vision he envisions, his own musical reading of the work, while striving to interpret the composer’s intentions in the most authentic way. Zoltán Thurzó not only played the materials of the recordings, but after a long professional study he became a producer in one person, he made the recordings, he makes the designer in appearance, and he also wrote the text descriptions to the CD’s booklets. (In the case of Liszt’s double album, twice 24-page booklets in Hungarian-English, and in the case of the compilation album, twice 36-page booklets in Hungarian-English.) Usually the performers do not usually write the brochures, in order to understand it, the performer himself summarizes the most important descriptive facts,and presents his musical curiosities.

Those interested will hold this CD’s in their hands, they will successfully try to break with the traditions of other publications.

 

Franz Liszt: Harmonies poétiques et religieuses S.173  – 1853  (2 CD’s)

     Béla Bartók, who – as a highly acclaimed pianist had had many a Liszt composition in his repertoire from as early as 1904 – wrote the following in his autobiography (Béla Bartók: Autobiography – Writings on Music (ed. by Lili Veszprémi Almárné), Egyetemi Nyomda, Budapest, 1946): “A deeper study of Liszt – particularly in his less popular creations, such as the “Années de Péligrinage”, the “Harmonies Poetétique et Religieuses”, in the “Faust Symphony” , in the “Totentanz” and elsewhere -, after traversing some less admirable trappings, led to the essence of the matter : finally the real significance of this artist became revealed to me. As far as the future development of musical art was concerned, I sensed his works to be of greater significance than, for instance, those of Wagner or Strauss.” 

Although the composition cycle Harmonies poétiques et religieuses (Poetic and religious harmonies) was among Liszt’s plans from 1833, and it was put on paper in 1834 and published in 1835, there was still a long path ahead until the publication of the ten pieces in 1853 under the same title. During the nearly two decades, the essential message of the initial work was revised many times in accordance with Liszt’s personal and musical development and career path as a composer, it was completed in its final form in around 1852.  We can regard this cycle as the reflection image of the ever-changing sensations and moods of the nearly twenty years.

The Harmonies poétiques et religieuses consisting of the finalized ten movements is Liszt’s second longest piano cycle after Années de pélerinage (Years of Pilgrimage). As the crowning of constantly revised new versions, drafts and sketches, he produced a marvelous composition, which was published in an unabridged form at the beginning of 1853.  Liszt would mention quite often in his correspondence that he considered this cycle especially significant, which is backed up by the fact that he had devoted nearly two decades to its completion and improvement.

In his Poetic and Religious Harmonies, Liszt concentrates mainly on the sacred moments of life. Its creative vocation shows well in the fantastically dynamic and prolific course from the first piece to the ten-movement cycle – which can also be interpreted as musical reflection of Christians’ continuous quest for God. For a believer, who, in his earthly suffering, is united with Christ who gave his life for the world, adversities become meaningful. The comprehensive musical message conveyed by Liszt’s series is that the faith-based synthesis of the colourful human ideas and of the sacredness of salvation in Christianity makes our earthly life more valuable.

 

HEART and SOUL – Vol.1 

   This CD record seeks to articulate the mixed emotions, passions and desires of each of our everyday lives, and all this is expressed by the wonderful melodies composed for the piano by the chosen composers. In the age of romanticism (following literature) a deep-rooted longing for new possibilities of expression also appeared in music, which, of course, continued to roll in other musical eras to the present day. In their piano pieces left to posterity, the composers make a full range of human feelings in us. This record reflects just that diversity.

Music is the composer’s innermost caricature-like confession – through his music we get to know his nature and personality. They all professed, among other things, that the recreation of the human soul can only be realized by art. The piano works selected on this CD adequately paint the depths of feelings, their greatness and diversity, presenting them with a great artistic toolkit in the interpretation of pianist Zoltán Thurzó. There will be works on the record that will be familiar to everyone.

 

Both CD’s are copyrighted recordings announced and protected by Society ARTISJUS (Hungarian Bureau for the Protection of Authors’ Rights)

There are several important names behind the released albums, whose support was important for the release of the records:

• Zsuzsanna Domokos – director of the Ferenc Liszt Memorial Museum and Research Center
• Mária Eckhardt – one of the best-known Liszt researchers in Hungary, also one of the most well-known Liszt researchers in Europe
• Péter Kirschner, sound engineer of János Bródy
• The best sound engineer in Oradea in the person of Gábor Jonucz
• Dániel Gryllus and its publisher in Budapest are Gryllus KFT and its colleague, Veronika Marosi.
• Ovi D.Pop – renowned photographer from Oradea – the ninth best photographer in the world seen by the Photographic Society of America rankings (Liszt’s double album uses his photos)
• Annamaria Bortolozzo – renowned Italian photographer from Venice (her photos are used in the Heart and Soul album)
• István Rais W., editor-in-chief of the Bihari Diary (Bihari Napló)

 

    

In Budapest, both recordings are available in the most well-known classical music venues / shops: Budapest Rózsavölgyi Music Shop, Music Shop of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, Budapest Palace of Arts – MÜPA – music shop, Zoltán Kodály Music Shop, Antique Store and Instrument Shop 

          

From january 2019, as a result of the cooperation with the Lira store network, the above-mentioned CDs can be obtained in 13 Hungarian counties, including 18 cities, and in a narrower sense in 38 stores.Records are available in these counties from now on: Hajdú-Bihar, Csongrád, Heves, Pest, Bács-Kiskun, Fejér, Tolna, Baranya, Somogy, Veszprém, Győr-Moson-Sopron, Zala, Vas.

Here are the exact names of the cities and the shops there:

BUDAPEST (in addition to the four locations mentioned above, they are avaible at a futher 10 locations): Fókusz Könyváruház, Récsei Center, Hegyvidék, Soroksár, Új Buda Center, CBA Újhegyi Líra-Móra, Rózsakert, Lurdy Ház Líra-Móra, Eurocenter Líra-Móra, Ferihegy Airport,Vecsési Market Centrál,

with also in this cities too with Lira Bookstore: PÉCS, SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, SZOMBATHELY, GYŐR, DEBRECEN, SZEGED, EGER, SIÓFOK, GYÖNGYÖS, KECSKEMÉT, KŐSZEG, DIÓSD, SOPRON, KAPOSVÁR, KESZTHELY, PAKS, BALATONFÜRED.

In Romania, both recordings can be found in the King Art chain, in six stores in three cities in total: Oradea  (in all three shops of the King Art stores), Marosvásárhely, and Brasov.

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In October 10, 2020, on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, all 32 piano sonatas of the Master were performed in Osijek, Croatia, at the Archaeological Museum of the city.

The originator and main organizer of the event was the renowed concert pianist Goran Filipec, who is also known in Europe, and who invited Zoltán Thurzó to participate at the Bethoven marathon. Zoltán Thurzó was the only hungarian guest at this international pianist field, so at this event he could represent Hungary and Romania in one person. Croatian, Serbian, Austrian, French, Russian, Greek and Monte Carlo pianists also performed at this Beethoven marathon.

  

He is one of the artists who, with his sense of purpose on the fist place, seeks to address people from a new perspective, in a different worldview.

 

 

Zoltán Thurzó also likes unique and difficult things. Both in music and in all other areas of life.

 

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2022 – Highest altitude grand piano performance

       

On 13 june 2022, at the base camp of Mount Everest Base Camp, in Nepal, Zoltán broke the Guinness World Record in the category “The highest altitude grand piano performance”.

With his piano performance he became the Guinness World Record Title Holder in this category. He performed the piano concert entitled “HYMN ON HIGHTS” at an altitude of 5325.77 meters, at a temperature between +1.0°C and +3.0°C, and it lasted 132 minutes.

During which he played 37 pieces of classical music, as well the national anthems of 26 different nations such as: Romania, Hungary, Szekler, Ucraine, Russia, USA, United Kingdom of Great Britain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Danmark, Finland, Croatia, Spain, Greece, Japan, Nepal, UAE.

 

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2022 – Longest marathon playing keyboard / piano by an individual

 This second Guinness commitment made by Zoltán was only 105 days after the previous one.

Between 19-25 september 2022, in Nagyvárad/Oradea, he successfully broke the Guinness World Record of the “Longest marathon playing keyboard / piano by an individual” too, and thus became the top performer in this category as well.

 

Both of these remarkable Guinness World Records were broken with classical music, jazz music, movie music, and with different piano transcriptions.

Thurzó Zoltán wants to use this reputation as a double Guinness World Records Title Holder to open a private music museum in his hometown under the name Thurzó Sándor Local Music History Museum and Music Archive.

 

DIPLOMA OF EXCELLENCE

On 22 november 2022, the city mayor – Florin Birta  – gave  a diploma of excellence to pianist Thurzó Zoltán, holder of two Guinness World Record a as a sign of gratitude for his excellent performance, professionalism and dedication, but also as an appreciation of the activity of promoting the city of Oradea over borders.

In turn, the mayor received from the artist a framed photograph representing him next to the piano, while he was on the Everest massif, holding the flag of the city of Oradea.

“I want to congratulate you and assure you of all the appreciation and gratitude for the achievements achieved, especially since, in this way, you managed to make the name of our city known at the international level. We are here to support the performance of any kind and I entrust you with all the openness and support of the local public administration“, said mayor Florin Birta.

 

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2024 – Highest altitude grand piano performance

      

                On June 12, 2024, he broke his own 2022 record at the top of the Umling La Pass in India, Ladakh region, with the title “Hymn on high 2. – Genesis”. Held on top of the world’s highest ,motorable road at a height of 19,024 feet / 5798.51 meters, now his piano concert lasted for 31 minutes and 42 seconds, during which he played 9 works of classical music, as well as the anthems of 4 different nations. This extraordinary performance in freezing conditions took place at -10 / -13 degrees Celsius. As part of the classical piano music mini-concert, he performed piano works by Vaja Azarashvili, George Enescu, Arno Babadjanyan, Edward Elgar, Frédéric Chopin, Amy Beach and Franz Liszt.

 

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2024 – Most piano key hits in 30 seconds

On October 23, commemorating the one-year anniversary of his mother’s death, Zoltán Thurzó successfully broke this record with an astonishing speed: he hits 500 times the same piano key in just 30 seconds. This one-year anniversary date was his main motivation to use the pain of his loss, and create something new out of it. He selected the last note on the piano, note C, and hit it 16.6 times per second, alternating with both hands.

 

     

 

It is Thurzó Zoltán’s belief that music can be a tool to transform the world into a better one.

His belief is that music may be a tool to turn the world into a better place.