The world-renowned Jávorkai brothers will embark on an Advent tour of Japan, joined by the musical students of Széchenyi István University. Their first concert will take place on 7 December at Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, performing before an audience of thousands. The violinist and cellist duo, together with the University String Orchestra—comprising talented students—will give 20 performances across Japan, including one for the Imperial Family.

Faculty of Design and Performance Arts at Széchenyi István University is renowned for its high-quality education and its roster of outstanding performers. This semester, the university’s most talented young string players have the unique opportunity to collaborate with the world-famous Jávorkai brothers in an Advent concert series in Japan. The University String Orchestra, made up of 14 music students, includes eight violinists, three violists, two cellists, and a double bassist.

During the "Ave Maria" tour, spanning 20 concerts, the orchestra will perform in prestigious venues such as Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall, and major concert halls in Osaka, Gifu, and Saitama. The Christmas-themed programme will feature masterpieces by Bach, Haydn, Vivaldi, and Albinoni.

The Győr-born duo—violinist Sándor Jávorkai and cellist Ádám Jávorkai—have been regular guests in Japan for many years. In addition to their international performances, they have also conducted masterclasses around the globe. "This concert series is special for us because it connects us to our hometown and allows us to give back to Győr and the students of Széchenyi University," said Ádám Jávorkai. "Our goal is to inspire young talents and show them how far they can go through music and learning—both geographically and professionally." He added that the idea for the collaboration originated with Imre Pintér-Péntek, Vice-President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The multi-award-winning cellist noted that the students have been preparing diligently for months for this Far East programme, which begins on 5 December. "It’s important to recognize the generous support the university has provided for this project. I’m confident the trip will be an unforgettable experience for the students, allowing them to perform in some of the world’s finest concert halls before fantastic audiences. Moreover, one of the concerts will be attended by the Japanese Imperial Family," he said.

The University String Orchestra and the Jávorkai brothers will perform for the first time in Japan on 7 December with the "Ave Maria" concert series (Photo: András Adorján)

According to Dr Csaba Hontvári, Dean of the Faculty of Design and Performance Arts at Széchenyi University, the students will gain invaluable professional experience by performing in massive concert halls before thousands of people. "The collaboration with the Jávorkai brothers marks an important milestone in the professional development of these young musicians. For many, this is their first opportunity to prepare for orchestral performances not for educational purposes, but on a professional level. This experience significantly contributes to their artistic growth," he said. He also noted that while students studying wind and string instruments often participate in orchestral work, this ensemble of 14 students is truly unique.

Bence Bendegúz Páhok, a third-year classical viola student with a strong interest in Asian culture, expressed his excitement about visiting Japan. "This tour is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the Jávorkai brothers. I hope to perform well and apply these experiences in my future career," he said.

For violin student Ákos Bódai, the significance of the tour became clear during the rehearsal concerts. "I feel privileged to play in some of the world’s most modern concert halls, and I’m thrilled to share this experience with my friends and fellow musicians," he said. Ákos added that as musicians, they build their skills step by step, likening the process to constructing a house. "During this tour, I’ll be collecting many of the 'bricks' needed for my artistic foundation," he said.