Although the trumpet has traditionally been regarded as the timpani’s best companion throughout the centuries of music history – with trumpeters and drummers even forming a joint guild in earlier times – organ–trumpet collaborations continue to enjoy great success at the concerts of Filharmónia Magyarország. The sheer power, colour, dignity and brilliance of the two instruments complement each other superbly. This year, the organ season ticket series also includes such a pairing.
Organist Philipp Pelster studied organ and church music at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. He then continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik in Basel with Martin Sander in 2008. In 2010 he earned his master’s degree in organ performance, followed by additional musicology qualifications at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe and the University of Salzburg. He was awarded his doctoral degree in 2014. Since 2014 he has been a lecturer in musicology at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. That same year he was appointed teacher of organ and improvisation for the Archdiocese of Salzburg, and he also coordinates all organ-building, restoration and renovation projects of the Archdiocese. In September 2022 he was appointed cathedral organist of Salzburg.
Trumpeter László Tóth has been a member of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra since 2001. In 2008, the orchestra awarded him the title Orchestral Musician of the Season by secret ballot. He is currently principal trumpet. As a member of the Pro Art Quartet, he regularly performs at prestigious international festivals. In 2011 he represented Hungary at the Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival in Brazil, where he taught a baroque instrument masterclass. In 2013, as a solo trumpeter, he performed Concertino V for trumpet and string orchestra by Ferenc Farkas, featured on a Farkas album released by Toccata Classics. Since 2013 he has been a teacher at the Béla Bartók Secondary School of Music. He is the regular solo trumpeter of the organ concerts at St Stephen’s Basilica. Together with opera singer Erika Miklósa and organist Dániel Somogyi-Tóth, he frequently performs in cathedrals across Hungary and beyond. His repertoire ranges from historically informed baroque performance through classical works to contemporary pieces, and he is in high demand for solo, chamber and orchestral engagements both in Hungary and with renowned foreign ensembles.
Spend an uplifting evening with them!

