András Schiff, the famous Hungarian pianist and a former student of Kadosa, recalled at the ceremony how he would travel by bus to his teacher?s home, which was like an oasis in Central Europe, with a huge library, beautiful furniture and art. Kadosa was more than a pianist, Schiff said. He was a musician with the highest expectations and excellent taste. He cared for his students as a good grandfather would: reminding them to wear a cap, lest their hair fall out.
Budapest Deputy-Mayor János Schiffer, presenting the plaque on behalf of the city, called Kadosa a man who truly belonged to the history and spirit of Budapest.
After the ceremony, Kadosa?s step-daughter Júlia Orbán invited those attending into the composer?s flat at Március 15 Square 8. Schiff was especially moved, saying he had not visited the flat for 30 years.
Kadosa born in the small town of Léva, today part of Slovakia, studied with some of the most important musicians of his time, including Arnold Székely, Lili Keleti, Leó Weiner and Zoltán Kodály. He was not yet 20 when his piano suite was performed in public. Kadosa was a founding member of the Association of Modern Hungarian Musicians and later of the New Hungarian Music Society, as well as a teacher at the legendary Fodor music school. However, during World War II, he was not allowed to teach and was subjected to forced labour. After the war, he became head of the Music Academy?s piano department. His students included Ferenc Rados, György Kurtág and Andor Losonczy. Later he taught Jenő Jandó, Zoltán Kocsis, Dezső Ránki and András Schiff. Kadosa also composed eight symphonies, numerous concertos, chamber music, piano music and choirs.
Source: fidelio
