Hungarian Violinist János Rolla has Died, Aged 79

Rolla led and conducted the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra for most of his life

The Hungarian violinist and conductor János Rolla, who was closely associated with the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, has passed away at the age of 79.

Born in Kőtelek, Hungary in 1944, Rolla studied at Budapest's Franz Liszt Academy of Music with the violinist Dénes Kovács. Afterward, he became concertmaster of the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra, a group comprising 17 string players with the addition of winds and brass when needed.

In 1979, Rolla became the orchestra's musical director. During his tenure, he made several recordings on the Hungaroton label, featuring soloists such as the trumpeter Maurice André, the flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, the violinists Alexander Schneider and Henryk Szeryng, and the pianist Tamás Vásáry.

In 1985, Rolla was the recipient of Hungary's most prestigious honor for culture, the Kossuth Prize. He followed this up in 1994 when he received the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic.

"The Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra was his child; he did everything a father, guardian and leader could do for the ensemble," wrote the orchestra in a statement. The Kossuth Prize-winning violinist received all the recognition, titles, and awards that a Hungarian musician could receive."

"Dear Jancsi, rest in peace, we will take care of and protect your work: the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra!"