László Tihanyi is one of the most well-known and active members of Hungary’s music domain, and he has a long resumé of international achievements. He regularly conducts at home and abroad, typically 20th century classical and contemporary programs. He has appeared with all the major Hungarian orchestras and with European contemporary music ensembles such as the Ensemble Modern, Contrechamps and Musikfabrik, often conducting his own works. His musical style can be described as a mix of avant-garde, modernism, and always filled with gutsy energy and whimsy – as his pizzicato cello solo “Schattenlos” (1997) and his vivid “Passacaglie” Viola Concerto (2012) demonstrate.

Tihanyi’s penchant for high drama was clearly revealed in his “La Nuit!” based on Victor Hugo’s poem of the same name. He scored it for chamber orchestra, a French orator, and six singers. It was conducted by Tihany at the 2021 Day of Listening at the Budapest Music Center. A reviewer wrote: “[This work] summoned up every human fear of the threatening unknown… and painted a turbulent portrait of the churning seas of psychic uncertainty.”

A long-time professor associated with the Liszt Academy, Tihanyi has also been a member of the Széchenyi Academy of Arts since 2007. He was honored with the Albert Szirmai Prize (1981), the Special Prize of the Association of Hungarian Musicians (1988), the Artisjus Prize (six times), the Erkel Prize (1997), the “Mérite Culturel” Award from the Polish Ministry of Culture and Science (1999), the Bartók-Pásztory Award (2001), and the Hans Martin Ziegler Award from the German town Kassel. The majority of his works have been recorded and released by Hungaroton and BMC Records.