JÁNOS SEBESTYÉN
RECENT NEWS
On November 5, János Sebestyén's former student Miklós Spányi completed recording Volume 18 in his ongoing series of the complete keyboard concertos of C. P. E. Bach. The recording was made at the Phoenix Studio in Diósd, Hungary with the newly reformed Concerto Armonico orchestra. The program, consisting of the first four "Hamburg" concertos (Wq. 43), will be released on the Swedish label BIS.
Klára Reitzer, a woman of exceptional intelligence and warmth, passed away on October 25 at the age of 93. She studied piano at the Liszt Academy but later changed careers to become an expert in foreign languages. She was also a tennis player of high regard, playing the sport well into her 80s. Her daughter-in-law is Dr. Judit Hidasi, herself an expert in the field of languages and communication.
July 11 was a day of birthday celebrations at the home of János Sebestyén for two of his most devoted friends: István Lantos and Judit Hidasi.
János Sebestyén took part in the opening concert of the Balatonlelle Organ Festival on July 9, performing an improvisation on Bach's famous D minor toccata. Also taking part in the concert were organist István Lantos and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyösy. The evening was hosted by József P. Kovács.
On May 7, János Sebestyén joined István Lantos for two organ improvisations at the annual concert given in support of the National Day in the Fight Against Cancer at the cathedral in Szeged, Hungary. Also performing were soprano Júlia Vajda and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyösy.
János Sebestyén reached the milestone of 80 years on March 2 and celebrated with a small private party at his home two days later. Guests included Judit Hidasi, István Lantos, Zoltán Gyöngyösy and Máté Hollós.
We are under the charm of the memorable birthday present of the celebratée himself, an exceptional artist. The entrée itself is festive. In the dimness of the candle-lit room artifacts appear vaguely that tell about the life of the host without words: his piano close to the cembalo, books bespeaking of his wide intellect, his radio documents, small travel-souvenirs from the world over, numerous relics of his fascination for collecting, piles of periodicals, his records old and new, and a pilot-seat from a cock-pit evoking his never-ending soaring fantasy - behind which he is always welcoming his friends in an almost childishly awe-struck manner. And his sure to come fellow-artists: the grand improvisateur pianist-organist István Lantos, an unparalleled gourmet; the fabulous flutist Zoltán Gyöngyösy - able to play with and without scores; the loyal pupil Miklós Spányi, who regularly visits back home from his remote destinations; the ever-young singer Ernő Tálas, who has returned from Sweden for good; and last but not least, the indispensable moderator of the evening, József P. Kovács, a former media legend.
And we gather for the evening some twenty-thirty fans: musicians, former colleagues from the Radio, music-loving professors - but most of all friends and admirers. And by the time we all settle down with a piece of delicious snack in hand, the virtual red lamp lights up and the Radio Diary program takes off - as it has been doing for five decades in the past. This is a never-ending musical fairy tale of János Sebestyén, a special concert interspersed with fascinating narratives, where music is heaven, and the radio programs burnt into our ears are opening doors to history. Today the Radio does not exist anymore in its traditional formations, neither does the Music Academy, but the past-evoking intellectual journey and the harmony of music - in accordance with Janos’ interpretation, stays undiminished even on the eve of his 80th birthday.
Dear János! It was just eight years ago that I congratulated you on the internet, and could tell everything that I know and cherish about you - your life, your art, your personality as a teacher and as a human being, and about the great radio man. Almost a decade has passed - and new challenges appeared: to overcome obstacles, maintain the intellectual activity, and continue doing music - as much as you can. We are all looking forward to your new endeavor of pinning down your memories and stories into a volume, to your charming and entrancing music-evening - that you continue to carry out with great intellectual vigor, with true friendship and optimism.
Our birthday wishes encourage you to go on! To your health and to the joy of us!
On December 17 there was a gathering of friends at the home of János Sebestyén in honor of his organ concerts with István Lantos given in support of the National Day in the Fight Against Cancer. The concerts, which take place during the spring at the Cathedral in Szeged, have been an annual event since 1993. Three professors from Szeged, Dr. Jenő Czigner, Dr. Mihály Gervain, and Dr. Gyula Baradnay, traveled to Budapest and arrived on time despite the difficult winter weather. Wonderful silver rings were presented, as well as an official letter of appreciation from the Hungarian Anti-Cancer Movement. After the short presentation, Christmas poems were read by Jószef P. Kovács and János Sebestyén and István Lantos played Christmas music and improvisations at the piano. Flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy also performed and tenor Ernő Tálas sang Swedish songs, while Miklós Spányi played Sebestyén's Sperrhake harpsichord. It was a festive atmosphere, flanked by two Christmas trees, one week in advance of Christmas 2010.
On July 10, organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén performed the opening concert of the Balatonlelle Organ Festival. They returned for the final concert of the series, devoted to Bach, on August 21. Also performing were tenor Ernő Tálas and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. Jószef P. Kovács hosted the performance.
22 distinguished guests gathered in János Sebestyén's home on April 17 for a two hour program: Radio History for 22. The text, by János Sebestyén, was read by Jószef P. Kovács and music was provided by soprano Madgy Mikaelberg Spányi, tenor Ernő Tálas, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy, pianist István Lantos and pianist and harpsichordist Miklós Spányi. The program included memories of flights with Swissair Captain László Zsindely, Finnish ambassador Osmo Väinölä in Budapest and Tel Aviv, Jacques and Liliane Gerard, assistants at the Hungarian Radio in the 1950s, and rememberences of János Sebestyén's famous radio program Egy rádios naplójából by István Hárs and János Szirányi, both former presidents of the Hungarian Radio.
János Sebestyén will remember Mr. Hagiwara during his March 1 radio broadcast for Hungarian Catholic Radio.
On July 11, organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén performed in the opening concert of the Balatonlelle Organ Festival. The program, featuring the music of Bach and Handel, also included performances by soprano Júlia Vajda of the Szeged Opera, tenor Ernő Tálas and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. Religious texts were read by Jószef P. Kovács. The concert concluded with an improvisation on Bach's Toccata in D minor. Lantos, Sebestyén, Tálas, Gyöngyössy and Kovács returned for the final concert of the series on August 22 and were joined by harpist Andrea Vigh. The theme for this program was World Music.
On January 30, János Sebestyén celebrated the New Year with a "working" party hosted by Dr. Erika Fodor. The first chapter of his memoirs, detailing experiences at the Hungarian Radio during the 1950s, were divided into ten parts and read by actor Jószef P. Kovács. Musical selections, interspersed between the readings, were performed by Sebestyén and friends, including pianists István Lantos and Ágnes Várallyay, tenor Ernő Tálas and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. Among the 50 guests, which included many ambassadors, professors and staff members of the Hungarian Radio, was Dr. Kinga Göncz, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
János Sebestyén recently hosted farewells for two good friends. The first, for Pedro Barros e Silva, Portuguese Consul and resident of Budapest for 30 years, took place on October 19. A short improvised concert was performed by Sebestyén and friends, including pianist István Lantos, tenor Ernő Tálas, and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. Poetry was read by Jószef P. Kovács. There were fourteen guests - chairs being confiscated from every room. Mr. Silva is now retired from his diplomatic position and resides in Rabat, Morocco with his Belgian wife.
Organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén performed at the Roman Catholic Church in Balatonlelle, Hungary on July 5, 12 and August 23. The concerts were part of the Balatonlelle Organ Festival, an annual series of summer concerts organized by János Sebestyén, which also included solo recitals by organists Bernard Hass, Ferenc Dudás, Johann Trummer and Szabolcs Szamosi.
On April 26, János Sebestyén and István Lantos performed improvisations and works by Mozart, Debussy, Strauss, Bartók and Kodály on the organ of the cathedral in Szeged, Hungary in support of the National Day in the Fight Against Cancer. They were also joined by two members of the Szeged Opera, soprano Júlia Vajda and bass Tamás Altorjai, for a selection of works by Bellini, Donizetti, Mascagni and Bizet.
János Sebestyén and István Lantos were among several musicians who took part in a charity concert for the foundation Gloria Victis on April 20. Their program included four-hand organ transcriptions of works by Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Ravel. The concert, with the title Spring Music for World Peace, took place in the large hall of the Music Academy and was part of the Green Day activities taking place throughout Budapest on that day.
János Sebestyén, who turned 77 on March 2, celebrated his birthday with a "working" party in the style of one of his radio broadcasts on Saturday, March 1. The party was hosted by Dr. Erika Fodor, his physical therapist and widow of diplomat János Fodor, and took place at her clinic. The evening included humorous excerpts from his Hungarian Radio programs, which came to an end in May 2007. Several of his radio co-workers were present, including Judit Merényi, Gábor Dombovári, Jószef P. Kovács and László Kelemen. Flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, played his own composition, 77 Notes, written especially for the occasion. Pianist Ágnes Várallyay played Debussy's L'isle joyeuse, Sebestyén's favorite piano work, and young musicians Eszter Márfi and Fanni Edőcs performed a Bach flute sonata. Pianist István Lantos, tenor Ernő Tálas and former British ambassador Nigel Thorpe also took part in the activities, and the final speech of the evening was given by János Szirányi, director of the Bartók Memorial House and former president of the Hungarian Radio. A sushi buffet was served from an antique rolling medical table and guests received an early 20th century book from János Sebestyén's personal collection.
János Sebestyén is producing a new program for the Hungarian Catholic Radio (810 kHz). The first broadcast will be on February 4 at 23:00 with a new program to follow every four weeks. Several of the programs will feature recorded memories of the late Father János Fábián, former Canon of the Matthias Church.
János Sebestyén and his musical friends, including organist István Lantos, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy and tenor Ernő Tálas gave a New Year's concert in the St. István Chapel of the Sport Hospital in Budapest on January 8.
János Sebestyén organized a Christmas concert for a group of 50 invited guests that took place on December 22 in Budapest. Other musicians taking part included pianists Ágnes Várallyay and István Lantos, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy and tenor Ernő Tálas. Poetry was read in English by former British ambassador Nigel Thorpe and in Hungarian by radio personality József P. Kovács. Besides traditional carols, music by Bach, Handel, Mozart, Schubert, Debussy, Fauré, Liszt, Kodály and Vaughan Williams was performed.
I have started to write the longest chapter in my memoirs, the story of Thomas Gallia, Paul Déry and Tibor Kelemen, who was not a musician, but an eternal friend. The chapter includes the life of the three Thomán sisters, George Mendelssohn, the Vox president, and Miklós Rózsa, based on letters from Gallia and Mendelssohn written 40 years ago. The letters tell the difference between the old record making, which was Hungary, and the new situation of capitalism and competition with the big companies.
János Sebestyén organized a house concert on September 1 in honor of a visit to Budapest by Dr. Dorothy Armstrong, former Canadian ambassador to Hungary. The concert took place at the home of former British ambassador Nigel Thorpe. The other musicians participating included pianists István Lantos and Ágnes Várallyay, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy and tenor Ernő Tálas. The program included works by Mozart, Elgar, Ravel, Warlock, Kodály, Frank Martin and several Scandinavian composers.
János Sebestyén was a member of the jury for the International Organ Competition in Saint Maurice, Switzerland, which took place August 21-26. The competition, established to honor the memory of Swiss organist Georges Cramer, was organized by Georges Athanasiadès. The other jury members included Jeremy Filsell, Bernhard Haas, Ferdinand Klinda, Pierre-Yves Tribolet and Johann Trummer. First prize was awarded to Balázs Szabó, a former student of Gábor Lehotka at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest. Second and third prizes were awarded to Joon-Ho Park of South Korea and Paul Goussot of France.
Organist Georges Athanasiadès, Canon of Abbey Saint Maurice in Switzerland since 1952, took part in the Balatonlelle Organ Festival on August 4. His recital program included works by Buxtehude and Brahms, as well as his own compositions. Athanasiadès was accompanied on his visit to Hungary by Harrietta Krips, the widow of famed conductor Joseph Krips.
On July 14, organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén performed four-hand works and improvisations in Balatonszemes, Hungary. Two young musicians, pianist Petra Somlai and soprano Zsófia Bódi, as well as tenor Ernő Tálas joined them. The program, which included works by Franck, Ibert, Purcell and Xavier Mozart, was in memory of those who have died, including Judit Makó and László Hegyessy.
Organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén performed during the opening concert of the Balatonlelle Organ Festival at the Roman Catholic Church in Balatonlelle, Hungary on June 30. Nigel Thorpe, former British ambassador to Hungary and now a resident of Budapest and executive with the Vodafone company, spoke at the concert. The program of English music included works by Purcell, Elgar and Warlock. Also performing were the young musicians Petra Somlai and Zsófia Bódi. Lantos and Sebestyén returned on July 7, joined this time by tenor Ernő Tálas and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. The Swedish-French program included works by Stenhammar, Sjögren, Ravel and Frank Martin. The Organ Festival is organized by János Sebestyén.
On June 29, organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén performed four-hand works and trancriptions by a number of composers, including Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Vaughan Williams and Bruckner. The concert, supporting Harmony in the EU and the World, took place at the Turkish Church Djami in Pécs, Hungary.
Today the best thing for me was the phone call - I got the number via Montevideo-Dallas-Budapest - with Pelayo Muguerza, Uruguay's new ambassador in Germany. He served for five years in Budapest, then Beijing and now in Berlin, and is an excellent expert of music, European history, museums and old palaces - especially in Italy. He is a good friend of the former Brazilian ambassador in Budapest, Ivan Batalha, whom we gave the nickname "Ivan the Terrible", who sang bass and tenor duets with his partner in Brasilia, the Hungarian János Benyhe, with a wonderful tone. One is now retired, the other is in Berlin, an expert in music and operas. Pelayo told me that yesterday, 24 June, he heard Ádám Fischer, who, since two months, is now the General Music Director of the Budapest Opera House.
On May 4, János Sebestyén took part in the annual concert at the cathedral in Szeged, Hungary in support of the National Day in the Fight Against Cancer.
On January 4, organists István Lantos and János Sebestyén, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy, violinist Rita Pilissy and tenor Ernő Tálas gave a concert in the St. István Chapel of the Sport Hospital in Budapest. The program included works by Vivaldi, Caccini, Mozart, Liszt, Franck, Ravel, Peterson-Berger, Bevilaqua, and Kodály.
On December 19, János Sebestyén took part in a Christmas concert at the Budapest home of Nigel Thorpe, former British ambassador to Hungary. Pianist István Lantos, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy and tenor Ernő Tálas also performed and József P. Kovács read poetry. Mr. Thorpe himself recited works by T. S. Eliot.
István Lantos, János Sebestyén and tenor Ernő Tálas gave a concert in Balatonszemes, Hungary on July 22. Tálas celebrated his 80th birthday the following day.
István Lantos and János Sebestyén gave a concert at the cathedral in Pécs, Hungary on July 9.
Organists István Lantos, János Sebestyén and tenor Ernő Tálas gave a concert at the Roman Catholic Church in Balatonlelle on July 8 as part of the 19th Balatonlelle Organ Festival. Sebestyén returned on July 15, this time with flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. The Festival ended with a concert by British organist Malcolm Rudland on August 26, which also included the participation of Lantos and Sebestyén. Other Festival participants this year include organists Johann Trummer, Silvio Celeghin, Miklós Teleki, Róbert Várallyay, Szabolcs Szamosi, harpsichordist Ágnes Várallyay, bass Kolos Kovács and the Pécs Basilica Chorus. The Festival is organized by János Sebestyén.
On April 29, István Lantos and János Sebestyén gave their annual organ recital in support of the National Day in the Fight Against Cancer at the cathedral in Szeged, Hungary.
János Sebestyén celebrated his 75th birthday with a special evening at Óbudai Társaskör in Budapest on March 6. Speakers at the celebration included Máté Hollós, Miklós Kaposy, József P. Kovács, Gyula Marton, Judit Merényi, Gábor Mohai, Rezső Palotás and József Somogyvári. Sebestyén told humorous stories from his long career as a musician and staff member of the Hungarian Radio and performed several improvisations with pianist István Lantos and flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy. Pianist and former rector at the Liszt Academy, Sándor Falvai, also performed with Lantos and Ágnes Várallyay, former student of both Sebestyén and Lantos, played solo works on harpsichord and piano. János Szirányi, former president of the Hungarian Radio and now director of the Bartók Memorial House, hosted the evening. There were about 140 invited guests. Those attending included two former presidents of the Hungarian Radio, István Hárs and István Hajdu, harpsichordists Anikó Horváth, Borbála Dobozy and Angelika Csizmadia, and Dr. Judit Hidasi, who in December 2005 was the first woman in Japanese history to be awarded the highest medal from the Emperor of Japan. The evening began and ended symetrically, with the old signals of the radio. A second celebration took place on March 27 at the Fészek Club in Budapest. The program was different but with the same musical guests: Zoltán Gyöngyössy, István Lantos and Ágnes Várallyay. The evening was hosted by the actor József P. Kovács and speakers included György Czigany, former radio and TV man and excellent poet, and hospital directors Dr. István Berkes and Dr. Zoltán Radnai. There was also a long conversation between retired SwissAir captain László Zsindely and Gábor Heckenast, former technical director of the Hungarian Radio. Finally, radio colleague Miklós Gróf presented a story in the style of Sándor Márai, contrasting our modern technical age with Sebestyén's use of very old recordings for his radio programs.
János Sebestyén was a member of the jury for the International Organ Competition in Saint Maurice, Switzerland. The competition, organized by Georges Athanasiadès, took place August 23-28. Other jury members included Jeremy Filsell, Bernhard Haas, Ferdinand Klinda, Pierre-Yves Tribolet and Johann Trummer. First prize was awarded to Bernadetta Sunavska (Slovakia), second to Bálint Karosi (Hungary) and third to Ourania Gassiou (Greece).
István Lantos and János Sebestyén gave a concert of four-hand organ music at the Catholic Church in Balatonlelle, Hungary on July 9. Opera singer Ernő Tálas also performed. This concert was part of 18th season of the Balatonlelle Organ Festival which is organized by János Sebestyén. Lantos and Sebestyén performed again in Balatonlelle on July 15, this time on piano, for a Caesar Concert hosted by Gábor Dombóvári. The Sotto Voce Chamber Choir also peformed that evening. Sebestyén performed for a second Caesar Concert on August 12, this time with pianist Ágnes Várallyay.
In celebration of 35 years of the harpsichord class at the Liszt Ference Academy of Music, János Sebestyén organized a Bach concert on May 30. Special guest, flutist Zoltán Gyöngyössy, performed sonatas with faculty members Anikó Horváth, Ágnes Várallyay and János Sebestyén, while current students of the Academy peformed a selection of preludes and fugues.
The 13th annual conference of the National Day in the Fight Against Cancer took place in Szeged, Hungary on April 30. The conference was organized by Dr. Gyula Telegdy, President of the Szeged Academy Committee, and members of the Szeged Academy Oncological Committee: Dr. Jenő Czigner, President; Dr. Mihály Gervain, Vice President and Dr. László Iván, Secretary. As has become tradition, István Lantos and János Sebestyén concluded the conference with an organ recital at the Szeged cathedral, where they were joined by opera singers Júlia Vajda and József Gregor. The program consisted of works by Warlock, Bach, Handel, Schubert, Mozart, Liszt, Kodály and Hesse.
János Sebestyén was awarded the Pro Clavicembalo 2005 prize from the organization Clavicembalo Alapítvány in honor of 35 years of the harpsichord class at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, which he founded in 1970. A bronze plaque by the artist Miklós Borsos was presented to Sebestyén on February 5 during a concert devoted to music for two harpsichords by Couperin, Soler, Luchinetti, Mozart and C.P.E. Bach. The soloists, all past or present students at the Academy, were Borbála Dobozy, Judit Péteri, Anikó Horváth, Dalma Cseh, Zsolt Balog, Claudia Rédai, Elvira Király, Katalin Juhász, Antal Flach and Szilvia Takács.
Dr. Günter Birbaum, recently retired Austrian ambassador, and János Sebestyén gave a recital of music for cello and piano in honor of Paul and Emma Gerstbauer on January 15. For many years, Paul Gerstbauer was the Steinway and Sperrhake representative in Vienna, and a great friend to Hungary. He played an important role in establishing the harpsichord program at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music by making it possible for them to acquire their first instruments. This special concert took place at the Gerstbauer's home in Vienna.
On January 6, István Lantos and János Sebestyén gave an organ recital in the St. István Chapel of the Sport Hospital in Budapest. Nearly 100 doctors and staff attended the concert and were served hot wine and pogácsa. The hospital, built in the 19th century as Erzsebet Hospital, later served as the home of the Hungarian Post Office and Red Cross, finally becoming the Sport Hospital in 1952. It has established an excellent reputation among many musicians and artists for its medical treatments. The director of the hospital is Professor István Berkes.
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The Hungarian music community has suffered the loss of one of its finest musicians. Zoltán Gyöngyössy, world famous flutist, lost his life in a car accident near Budapest on the afternoon of December 29. He was one of the genuinely outstanding musicians of his country. With a particular fondness for contemporary music, many composers dedicated works to him, and he was a favorite performer of György Kurtág. He excelled in baroque and classical music as well, and collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles and orchestras. He belonged to the group of János Sebestyén's closest friends, which also includes the musicians István Lantos and Ernő Tálas; the four of them having performed together regularly throughout Hungary for more than a decade. A 
Dr. Otto Quittner, founder and president of 
Mr. Michihiko Hagiwara, an old friend, and a friend of Hungary, passed away February 9 at the age of 79. He was a journalist, but devoted much of his time to music and things Hungarian. He had his favorite café in Tokyo, the "Freude", where he took all Hungarians visiting Japan to have a good drink, a good chat, to enjoy music and to enjoy themeselves. This was a small café-bar, where the owner stood up occasionally to play the violin and his friend the piano, where the two waitresses were educated singers - and would gladly sing songs between serving the guests. The walls of the café were full of posters, pictures and photos - mostly European musicians, music lovers, etc... He also published many things connected with music, and was most proud of his "Richter In Japan" book, a fantastic album with many photos. He was a great propagator of Hungarian music and Hungarian musicians.
Three birthdays were celebrated at the home of János Sebestyén during the month of July. Professor István Lantos (right), Sebestyén's loyal friend and partner at the piano and organ for 25 years, turned 60 on July 10. Also celebrating that evening was Mrs. Georgina Heraclides, widow of the former Greek ambassador to Hungary. The birthday of Dr. Judit Hidasi, communications professor and language expert, was celebrated the following weekend. The parties were small, limited to ten close friends, and beer was served in honor of Lantos, a connoisseur of the beverage. Musical programs were improvised.
The second farewell, on November 3, was for Nigel Thorpe, who is returning to London after ten years in Budapest. Mr. Thorpe served as ambassador from 1998 - 2003 and later worked for the Vodafone company. As ambassador, he hosted many concerts by famous musicians at the British residence and continued to do so later at his private flat. He has also been a valued supporter of the Friends of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music and has worked with HRH Prince Charles to obtain funding from the EU for restoration work at the Academy of Music. Among the guests were Flora Kisfaludy, his former secretary, Hector Clark, British engineer, Erika Fodor, widow of the General Consul in New York, Gaston Vadász, advisor of Radio Juventus in Hungary, Judit Hidasi, Japanese cultural expert, and pianist Ágnes Várallyay. The evening's entertainment included historical x-ray recordings of BBC broadcasts from the 1930s recorded by István Makai at his studio on Keleti Károly utca. Mr. Vadász also recited advertisements from old British papers, Ms. Várallyay played the piano, and Mr. Thorpe's favorite poem, Linden Lea, was also heard. Already a BNB - Bring Nigel Back - Club has been formed, and his friends are awaiting his return for a belated Christmas concert that will take place on January 30, 2009.
Paul Gerstbauer died after a long illness on March 22, 2006 at the age of 81. He was a friend for 40 years and for decades was the Steinway representative for the whole of Austria, working with such famous artists as Martha Argerich, Shura Cherkassy, Claudio Arrau and, especially, Géza Anda - they all wanted to work with Gerstbauer and he always provided the best tuning and service. He owned an old house on Bäckerstrasse in the 1st District in Vienna, which was once the premises for the piano manufacturer J. Nemetschke, complete with stables for the horses that were used to transport the pianos. From here he not only sold every model of Steinway, but also Stingl and Schimmel, upright pianos and harpsichords. He also had a small shop on the Praterstrasse. In the 1960s he helped many musical institutions in Hungary obtain Sperrhake harpsichords, and later, instruments by Sassmann. Through Gerstbauer, I came into contact with the senior Sassman, who was a Messerschmitt flyer during the second world war and who also sold pianos to Hungary. Quick, helpful, friendly, interested in the problems of others, he had a feeling for everything and helped both me and my mother a lot. Paul Gerstbauer was a human being, a good friend and an excellent businessman. The Steinway changed, the world changed, but he never changed. His passing is a big loss for everyone who knew and liked him, and there were many.
