The National Tárogató Institute Foundation is organising the Carpathian Basin Tárogató Competition Sárospatak, to bring together the finest performers of this musical instrument, revered as a ‘Hungaricum’, within the walls of the town’s Reformed Theological Academy – as reported by MTI.
According to the organisers, the anniversary of the prince’s birth is not merely a date, but also an opportunity for the tarogato’s heritage to be showcased in modern culture as a developing art form.
The aim of the competition is to provide opportunities for young talent as part of the Rákóczi commemorative year and to give the instrument the recognition it deserves in the world of concert halls.
The competition – organised primarily by tarogato player Zoltán Erdő – will take place between 26 and 28 October in Sárospatak; the detailed competition rules and entry requirements are available on the organisers’ official websites.
Competitors can enter in five age groups
The programme taking place at the Sárospatak Reformed Theological University programme focuses primarily on the countries of the Carpathian Basin, but the organisers welcome applications from tarogato players from anywhere in the world. In the competition, a panel of experts will decide on the contestants’ rankings,
In the assessment, „in addition to technical virtuosity, stylistic fidelity, the depth of instrumental mastery and the authenticity of the performance are considered key criteria”.
The competition will be held across five age groups: the first for 8–13-year-olds, the second for 14–19-year-olds, the third for 20–29-year-olds, the fourth for 30–49-year-olds, and the fifth for those aged 50 and over. At the closing concert of the event, four fine tarogatos will be presented to the best performers in each category; in addition to the main prizes, the winners will also receive professional recognition.
The tárogató is not merely a relic of the past, but a living musical instrument
As reported, the award winners will be offered performance opportunities, including an invitation to perform with the János Lavotta Chamber Orchestra, as well as the chance to perform in the Czech Republic at the 3rd Schunda Cimbalom Festival. Those receiving the award will also be enriched with professional accessories such as professional instrument cases or custom mouthpieces, and will also be able to take advantage of general repairs and professional consultations offered by master craftsmen.
According to the press release, the aim of the National Tarogato Institute Foundation is to ensure that the tarogato remains a living instrument, rather than merely a relic of the past. According to them, the competition in Sárospatak creates a platform for professional dialogue and collaborative music-making, whilst the gala concert will be „a joint celebration of Hungarian instrumental culture and the princely heritage, which will give new impetus to the teaching and promotion of the tárogató”.
