The György Solti Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1998 in Budapest by Franciska Ispán, drawing its members from young musicians who graduated from the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. The ensemble was created to honor the memory and musical legacy of the world-renowned conductor Sir Georg Solti, who passed away in 1997. It became an active participant in Hungary’s classical music scene, performing regularly at prestigious venues such as the Liszt Academy, the Marble Hall of Hungarian Radio, Stefania Palace, St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Hungarian State Opera.
Throughout its artistic work, the orchestra collaborated with distinguished conductors including Tamás Vásáry and Yuri Simonov. As soloists and partners, internationally acclaimed artists such as Zoltán Kocsis, Miklós Perényi, Éva Marton, and Ilona Tokody also appeared with the ensemble. Its repertoire focused on classical works while also emphasizing the preservation of Hungarian musical traditions. The orchestra was also involved in supporting young talents and organizing charity concerts. Overall, the Solti Chamber Orchestra became a respected presence in Hungarian chamber music, continuing the artistic spirit and legacy of György Solti.
The connection between the orchestra and the Conductors Academy starts from the orchestra’s very beginning: the inaugural concert was conducted our patron, Maestro Yuri Simonov, whilst he was also working on Wagner’s Götterdämmerung at the Hungarian State Opera. His student and CA Director, Jonathan Brett, was working with him at that time and attended all the rehearsals and the inaugural concert. By an odd coincidence, he was also present when Yuri Simonov returned to conduct the twentieth birthday concert at the Ferenc Liszt Academy in 2018.
At that time Jonathan Brett was looking for a new orchestra to collaborate with Conductor’s Academy projects and so a working relationship was formed which started with a masterclass and some performances in 2019. After the inevitable interruption of Covid, the relationship re-commenced in 2023 with the first Audite International Masterclass. Sadly, Franciska Ispán passed away in March 2025 but her legacy continues, for the orchestra is now under the direction of her grand-daughter, Bernadett Puskás.