For me, music is more than art—it is the most universal form of communication, revealing the hidden depths of the world. Every note is a new step closer to a deeper understanding of existence. For over four decades, I have traveled the world with my music and performances, where the ancient and modern worlds converge.
Get to know me and the story and philosophy behind my music!
The journey that led me to music
I was born in 1956 in Törökszentmiklós and began my musical studies on classical guitar with a private teacher. From the mid-1970s, my interest in jazz and improvisation shaped my playing further, and I later deepened my knowledge as a guest student at the Jazz Department of the Béla Bartók Conservatory.
From the very beginning, I felt that improvisation should not be confined to a single style. I built my own playing style from the musical influences I was most attuned and sensitive to. Eastern music, in particular, offered me profound inspiration.
Starting in 1980, I began performing modern acoustic guitar music, becoming the first in Hungary to represent this genre as a solo artist. My art gained recognition primarily abroad, where I fused the techniques of various cultures’ string instruments with my unique playing style and artistic philosophy.
My musical philosophy and art
For me, improvisation is the deepest and most honest form of creation. Through the freedom inherent in improvisation, I intuitively connect with the world, seeking the shared essence of sound and silence in music.
In my music, the ancient meets the modern, and the Eastern intertwines with the Western world. I play instruments such as the Indian esraj, the Persian oud, and the guzheng, using them to reimagine the possible interpretations of our ancestors’ music as it can be recalled today.
All of my compositions are based on improvisation. I feel that through inspiration, the hidden depths of the Universe are revealed, projecting the invisible yet perceptible dimensions of the world.
The story of the Szabó-Major Oriental Project
My collaboration with Balázs Major, my percussionist colleague, began over four decades ago and has since taken us through numerous musical eras and formations.
The beginnings and the evolution of the formation
The Szabó-Major Oriental Project began in 1980 when we decided to form a duo to play improvisational music that fuses Eastern and Western musical cultures. In the early days, Balázs played the tabla, while I performed melodies on 12-string and classical guitars.
At the start of our career, we were among the first in Hungary to experiment with blending various musical traditions. Before long, we became regular performers in Hungarian jazz and youth clubs. By the mid-1980s, our well-developed musical concept enabled us to launch new formations and collaborations, such as the SzaMaBa Trio.
International collaborations and a new soundscape
The duo has served as the foundation for numerous international formations, such as the Szabó/Isbin/Major Trio, the Magris/De Mattia/Szabó/Major Quartet, or Fractal Strings, where we were joined by Michael Manring and Claus Boesser Ferrari.
In recent years, our collection of instruments has expanded, opening up new musical possibilities. Balázs’s unique percussion instruments, such as the double udu and the bendir, have created an unparalleled soundscape. My own instrumentarium is equally distinctive: in addition to guitars, I play the 21-string Chinese guzheng, the Indian bowed esraj, the Persian oud, and the Arabic qanun.
Our concerts unfold almost like rituals, and our uniquely atmospheric music provides a truly unforgettable experience.
Modern Hungarian Eastern Music
Today, we perform under the name Szabó-Major Oriental Project, and we call our music Modern Hungarian Eastern Music. This style merges the melodies of the East with the roots of European music. Our Eastern instruments enchant audiences not only with their sound but also with their appearance, making every performance a unique experience. In recent years, we have released several albums, all available on my Bandcamp page.
My musical heritage
Throughout my career, I have created music for over 100 albums, which have been released not only in Hungary but also worldwide, including in the United States, Venezuela, England, Italy, and Germany.
My musical journey is akin to that of an explorer; everything I have discovered and understood about music has been reflected in my creations, becoming an integral part of my life’s work.
Throughout my career, I have experienced countless memorable moments. Concerts, Eastern instruments, teaching, and research—all are part of the journey I travel through music.
Explore the photos and discover the stories behind my music.
