István Kassai

pianist
Budapest, 26 March 1959
Full member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (2013–)
He was born in 1959 into a music-loving family. A child prodigy, he progressed through the stages of musical training at remarkable speed. He began piano studies at the age of six and appeared in concert already at seven. At ten, he was admitted to the Bartók Béla Secondary School of Music, where he studied under Lajos Kertész.
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Parallel Life Paths
2024governmental award

Meritorious Artist of Hungary

State award for artists who have created outstanding artistic values over a prolonged period in Hungarian national culture and artistic fields (theatre, music, dance, circus, film, visual, photography, applied arts), and who already hold an artistic award granted by the minister responsible for culture. The recipient is entitled to the title “Meritorious Artist of Hungary” (short: “Meritorious Artist”).

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2001governmental award

Franz Liszt Award

The highest musical award granted by the Hungarian state in recognition of outstanding musical and performing arts achievements.

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