The Masterclass is based at the Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra. The ensemble is famous both in Hungary and abroad for its intensive performance style, a culture of uniform playing as well as a high degree of professional and human motivation.
The extremely skilled ensemble is at the disposal of participants of the Masterclass as a practice orchestra. The special feature of the course is that participants receive the opportunity to conduct the orchestra at no fewer than nine orchestral rehearsals, besides which the programme includes the final rehearsal and the concert. This opportunity is totally unique globally.
The focus of the Masterclass is not primarily the development of technical skills but instead gaining a profound knowledge based on an understanding of all details of the works and scores. Over and above this, during the course Gábor Hollerung places particular emphasis on the most important functions of conducting, the necessary (and unnecessary) activities of the conductor, and the mechanisms of communication with the orchestra.
Saturday afternoon – Sunday evening, total 9 days
The venue is close to the ‘Puskás Ferenc Stadion’ station on red metro line No. 2.
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The Masterclass is held in English – if required, the course leader will give a brief summary in Hungarian and German as well.
1
Some of the rehearsals take place under the direction of the course leader, either at the piano or with the orchestra. The objective is for active participants of the course to acquire experience of conducting as many excerpts of compositions as possible, on the basis of their own works or those of others.
2
All active participants are given the opportunity to appear at the Gala Concert. The Maestro decides on the movements conducted at the concert and on the day preceding the Gala Concert everybody rehearses only their own programme. Participants rehearse according to the schedule drawn up by the course leader at the final rehearsals preceding the concert.
3
Based on practice of previous years, the orchestra and Maestro may select a conductor at the end of the Masterclass who receives an invitation for one of the concerts of the orchestra in the following season. The Maestro announces the name of the invited conductor at the Gala Concert.
Participants study all the works.
Mozart
Violin Concerto in A major, K. 219
Bärenreiter
Tchaikovsky
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36
Breitkopf (other, equivalent scores are also accepted)
Bartók
Music for String Instruments, Percussion and Celesta SZ. 106, BB 114
Universal Edition
Total fee for Masterclass participation (application fee + participation fee):
For active participants
2500 €
(gross)
For passive participants
400 €
(gross)
The application fee is €400, which both active and passive participants shall pay by the day of the application deadline.
The participation fee for active participants is €2100, which must be paid by 9 May 2026. (The total fee for passive participants is €400.)
The participation fee includes a video recording (conductor camera) of the stage appearance of the active participant at the Gala Concert.
Application deadline
Saturday 11 July
3 pm
music analysis
Sunday 12 July
10 am – 1 pm
1-2 pm
2-5 pm
rehearsal with two pianos
break
rehearsal with two pianos
Monday 13 July
10 am – 1 pm
1-2 pm
2-5 pm
rehearsal with two pianos
break
rehearsal with two pianosl
Tuesday 14 July
10 am – 1 pm
1-2 pm
2-5 pm
rehearsal with two pianos
break
orchestral rehearsal
Wednesday 15 July
10-11.45 pm
midday-3 pm
3-4 pm
4-7 pm
rehearsal with two pianos for passive participants (if present)
orchestral rehearsal
break
orchestral rehearsal
Thursday 16 July
10-11.45 pm
midday-3 pm
3-4 pm
4-7 pm
rehearsal with two pianos for passive participants (if present)
orchestral rehearsal
break
orchestral rehearsal
Friday 17 July
10 am – 1 pm
1-2 pm
2-5 pm
orchestral rehearsal
break
orchestral rehearsal
Saturday 18 July
10 am – 1 pm
1-2 pm
2-5 pm
orchestral rehearsal
break
orchestral rehearsal
Sunday 19 July
10 am
final rehearsal
7.30 pm
Gala Concert – Pest Vigadó
Application deadline
5 May 2026 – deadline for transfer of the €400 application fee
15 May 2026 – deadline for confirmation of applications from the course leader
22 May 2026 – deadline for payment of the €2100 participation fee (for active participants)
The organizers will refund the application fee exclusively for those applicants who were not accepted as active participants and who do not wish to be passive participants on the course. In the case of the withdrawal of any applicants accepted as active participants, only the participation fee shall be refunded.
Participants shall arrange all their own travel, accommodation, meals and original scores themselves.
On request, the organizers will be willing to recommend accommodation for participants.
