three- and four-stringed viola
„No matter which tradition you play from the past, you have to get to know its era. You have to be aware of the role music played, and understand those ho played and those who listened to it. Having studied it thoroughly, I believe the music played in villages is perfect: there is no need to improve it, only to play as authentically as possible.”
I was born in Dorog, on 16th of August, 1969. At the age of seven I started playing the piano and studying music theory and history. In my teens I also tried jazz piano along classical, and got acquainted with Hungarian folk music at secondary school: Árpád Grammar School in Óbuda. I chose the hurdy-gurdy and folk viola as my instruments. I continued to study music and conducting at the Teacher Training department of ELTE University between 1988-1992, and later completed music teacher program at Liszt Academy of Music with extinction. In 2018 I have attained a summa cum laude doctoral degree with my dissertation “The viola as accompanying instrument in string folk bands of Transylvania in the 20th century” at the Music Academy.”
A career of teaching music and music theory for over twenty years takes Árendás to the prestigeous position of teaching folk viola, string chamber music and music pedagogy at the Folk Music Department of the Liszt Academy. A senior lecturer since 2010, he is in charge of the string instrument programme. He has taught at countless camps and workshops, and acted as a mentor for contestants at the 2012 and 2014 series of “Fölszállott a Páva ” TV talent show.
A founding member of Tükrös Ensemble, Árendás has played for, acted as band leader, choreographer and artistc director for Budapest Dance Theatre, later Honvéd Dance Theatre. He formed Gázsa band with first violinist István Papp Gázsa in 1993, publishing six albums. A trio with László Kiss Gy. on tárogató and András Lelkes on double-bass has released four albums to date, playing contemporary pieces along traditional music. Péter Árendás is currently active as musician in several folk dance groups, stage shows and films.
