János Mezei

After his initial studies in piano and composition, János Mezei got his degrees in choral conducting and musicology at the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. Still as a student, he became a member of the Budapest Strings chamber orchestra as a continuo player and of the Gregorian group Schola Hungarica, directed by László Dobszay and Janka Szendrei, thus entering the concert life at an early stage. He repeatedly appeared in the Budapest Festival Orchestra as a continuo player and advisor in sacred music.

After his university studies he received a doctorate in musicology, doing research work in the Institute of Musicology of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. With producer Judit Dimény he was the editor for a decade and a half of a youth program in Hungarian Radio, “Played for you”, presenting chef-d’œuvres of Classical music to children.

Since 1984 he has been teaching in the Schola Cantorum Budapestiensis, directed by himself and Tamás Bubnó. Here, continuing the European tradition of Scholæ Cantorum, regular liturgic services are closely connected with concert activity. This group has made six CD recordings, including world premiers.

Beside teaching in various schools, János Mezei is assistant professor at the recently re-founded Church Music Department of the Liszt Academy, instructing early polyphony, liturgical organ playing, continuo playing, chamber singing and score reading.

He has been a member of Affetti Musicali since the mid-nineties.