In December of last year, a string orchestra composed of students from Széchenyi István University had the privilege of performing in Japan alongside the internationally renowned Jávorkai brothers. As part of the Ave Maria concert series, they took to the stage twenty times over the course of twenty days. A documentary capturing the tour has been produced and was recently presented in a formal ceremony at the University Concert Hall. This remarkable collaboration has been immortalized in the film, which is available for public viewing on the University’s official YouTube channel.

The Faculty of Design and Performance Arts at Széchenyi István University offers high quality, practice-oriented education, producing numerous outstanding performing artists and music educators. Last December, the most talented young string players were granted a unique opportunity: to perform in an Advent concert series in Japan alongside the world-famous Jávorkai brothers. The University String Orchestra, comprising 14 student musicians, included eight violinists, two violists, three cellists, and one double bassist.

Under the leadership of violinist Sándor Jávorkai and cellist Ádám Jávorkai, the ensemble spent 20 days in Japan, performing at 16 venues for a total of 20 concerts. Prestigious locations included the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, the Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall and large-capacity auditoriums in Osaka, Gifu and Saitama. A documentary has been created to commemorate this extraordinary collaboration between internationally acclaimed artists and young talents. The film was recently premiered in a formal ceremony in the University Concert Hall, housed in the impressive former synagogue of Győr.

The Ave Maria concert series featured some of the most beautiful works by Bach, Haydn, Vivaldi and Albinoni, excerpts of which were also presented to the audience during the film screening. (Photo: András Adorján)

At the event, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, highlighted that students from all levels of study within the Faculty of Design and Performance Arts were represented in the ensemble. Undergraduate, master’s, and undivided programme students, from first-year to fourth-year, had the opportunity to display their talents.

"Our University community now consists of almost fifty percent of students from distant counties. This is also reflected in our string orchestra, which includes students from eleven different counties, ranging from Somogy and Heves to Hajdú-Bihar. This demonstrates that Széchenyi István University has become an institution of national significance," she stated. She added that significant progress has also been made on the international stage, as evidenced by the University’s rankings on a total of eight European, sustainability, subject-specific, and global lists compiled by the higher education ranking organizations Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education.

In her welcome speech, the Vice President emphasized that international experience and practice-oriented education are of paramount importance to the University. "Through these concerts, the young musicians not only gained invaluable professional experience but also played a key role in promoting Hungary’s rich cultural heritage in the East Asian region," she noted. She further remarked that this unique partnership serves as an outstanding example of the institution’s commitment to excellence.

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; Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University; as well as violinist Sándor Jávorkai and cellist Ádám Jávorkai, attended the formal film screening. (Photo: András Adorján)

Cellist Ádám Jávorkai revealed that the idea for the collaboration originated from 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. He emphasized that, as natives of Győr, it is important for them to give back to their local community. "If the element of love is present, anything can come to life. This is true for music as well. The unique personalities of people playing together create a language and an energy that I can only describe as magical—something that enchants and deeply touches others," he stated. His brother, violinist Sándor Jávorkai, added that the collaboration was an incredible experience for them, and they are grateful to Széchenyi István University for making it possible.

Fourteen students from Széchenyi István University participated in the tour, performing on violin, viola, cello, and double bass. (Photo: András Adorján)

The 22-minute documentary on the Ave Maria concert series in Japan not only captures the formation of the ensemble and the months-long rehearsal period but also conveys the atmosphere of Japanese concert halls, the journey of artistic maturity, and the process of achieving musical harmony. In addition to its remarkable musical performances, the film is enriched by interviews with the participants and glimpses into the twenty days spent in Japan. The documentary is available for public viewing on the University’s YouTube channel.

The Jávorkai brothers and members of the University String Orchestra at the Ave Maria documentary premiere in Győr. (Photo: András Adorján)

Students of Széchenyi István University who participated in the Japanese tour: Eleonóra Anna Baján, Ákos Bódai, Eszter Julianna Horváth, Zsófia Kovács, Anna Lukács, Kornélia Nagy, Anna Szabó, Viktória Sztancs (Violin); Benedek Tamás Gőgh, Bence Bendegúz Páhok (Viola); Bálint Keltai, Mária Tóth, Gizella Erzsébet Vízhányó (Cello); Marcell Ákos Squor (Double Bass).