Virizlay, Mihály

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Virizlay, Mihály

Virizláy, Mihaly, Hungarian-born American cellist,teacher, and composer; b. Budapest, Nov. 2, 1931.He began violin studies at an early age with his father.After receiving instruction in cello from Janos Starker,he studied with Miklos Zsambolski and Edi Banda (cello) and Pal Jardanyi and Kodaly (composition) at the Budapest Academy of Music (graduated, 1955). In 1957 he emigrated to the U.S., and became a naturalized American citizen (1962). After playing in the Dallas Sym. Orch., he was asst. principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Sym. Orch. (1960-62) and then principal cellist of the Baltimore Sym. Orch. (from 1962); also pursued a career as an orch. soloist, recitalist, and chamber music artist, making appearances on both sides of the Atlantic.He taught at the Peabody Cons, of Music in Baltimore (from 1963), and also held master classes throughout the U.S. He was distinguished for his performances of contemporary music.

Works

ORCH The Emperor’s New Clothes,suite (1964); Trombone Concerto (Baltimore, Nov. 2, 1985); Cello Concerto (1985; Baltimore, Feb. 12, 1987). CHAMBER: Ének (Song) for Cello and Piano (1955); Sonata for Solo Cello (1972); Rhapsodyfor Cello and Piano (1973); Piano Sonata (1981); Grand Duofor 2 Flutes (1985).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire