The Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra is renowned both in Hungary and internationally. Its prestige is highlighted by its inclusion in the so-called Invisible Museum of the Hungarian Spirit, its recognition as national intangible cultural heritage, and, perhaps most notably, its listing in the Guinness World Records as the largest gypsy orchestra in the world.
Although the orchestra is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, following its founding after the death of the “king of the gypsy violin” Sándor Járóka, it remains firmly focused on the future, not just the past. The orchestra's mission is centered on the intergenerational transmission and revival of the distinctive musical traditions inspired by Roma customs. In doing so, it preserves the continuity of Roma musical creativity, delivering vibrant, highly rhythmic, often danceable, and always virtuosic music within a symphonic framework of the highest caliber.
As demonstrated in the programme for the September concert in Ljubljana, the orchestra’s artistic focus is on safeguarding the Roma musical tradition while blending it seamlessly with folk songs and the rich European classical heritage. Many of the greatest composers of past centuries – such as Liszt, Bartók, Brahms, Bizet, Tchaikovsky, Kodály, and the entire Strauss dynasty – often integrated a musical language into their works that they believed reflected the inner melody or melos of the Roma people’s nomadic culture.
