Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented
in Hungarian,
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese), Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian, Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Persian, Portuguese, Persian, Portuguese,
Russian, Slovenian,
Spanish and Thai.
Greetings,
music-loving viewers!
Today, we invite you
to an exciting
musical experience
on A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms.
The Budapest
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra
of Hungary is a very
unique musical ensemble.
They give
sensational performances
featuring well-known
Hungarian and
international Gypsy music
from such composers
as Vittorio Monti,
Grigoraş Dinicu
and Elemer Szentirmay.
When they tour,
halls are instantly filled
at the most
prestigious venues
all throughout Europe
and the performers
have been welcomed
in countries
as far away as Japan.
On behalf of our viewers
and Supreme Master
Television,
we welcome with
much love and respect,
Mr. “Buffó” Rigó Sándor,
director of the
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra.
Greetings.
Good day.
I understand
that your orchestra
was founded in 1985.
Could you tell us
a little bit about how
it came into existence?
It began with a very
interesting event.
In 1984 my father-in-law,
Járóka Sándor
who was one
of the most famous Gypsy
musicians in the world,
passed away.
And as it is
a Gypsy tradition
that musicians are
accompanied
on their final journey
with the sound of music,
more than 1,000
musicians came to play
at his funeral, which
was attended by about
10,000 people
from across the world.
So when these 1,000
musicians began to play,
the music gave
the funeral
a breathtaking solemnity.
And the effect was
heartrending
when these countless
musical instruments
began to play at once.
So in fact,
the idea was born here,
when someone asked
why it was that it is only
at such occasions that
so many of us can
get together to play music
in such large numbers.
Yes.
So really this comment
was what started…
One of us, I can’t
actually remember
who specifically it was,
was thinking about it,
and eventually this lead
to the formation of the
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra.
The purpose
of the orchestra
is to bring together
Hungary’s finest
Roma musicians.
Some have been
famous band leaders,
including the late
László Berki, head of
the National Hungarian
State Ensemble.
Many members
come from families with
strong musical traditions
that have been
passed down from
generation to generation.
A spirit of brotherhood
unites the members
and is the foundation of
the orchestra’s success
in the musical world.
I started playing
the violin when
I was eight years old.
At that time,
my father gave me
my first violin which
he brought back with him
from the then
Soviet Union
where he was touring.
After surprising me
with the gift of the violin,
he immediately taught me
my first tune,
half of a short little song
which I practiced wisely
and with great dedication
and went around
playing this half a song
to everyone.
I remember when once
I dropped my violin
and broke a part of it
and I was so sad,
I cried and cried.
But then it turned out that
the damage was
not so great
that I couldn’t play on it.
My father was able to fix
and I returned
to my practice
with great joy.
In our family
it’s a tradition as
we are a musical family,
and in a musical family,
generally the boys
must play some kind
of instrument.
So this is how it happens
and of course
they usually choose
the father’s instrument,
or often the first choice
is to try
for the leader position as
this is the most attractive.
The first violin or leader
is always in the forefront
and most think that his is
the position which enjoys
the most success.
Though in fact, I think
that the rest
of the orchestra members
also have their share
of the success.
So in this way
the traditions are kept up
and our first steps with
music are almost always
learned from our fathers
or other family members.
What do you think
is the most important
characteristic
in a musician?
Most certainly,
I believe it is essential
that they be sincere.
Yes.
A musician must be
wholehearted.
If someone is not truly
sincere in spirit,
I don’t think they can
make really good music.
They just can’t convey
to the listener
what they should.
So it is a very great virtue
for a musician to be able
to convey his music with
sincerity and with love.
This is
an essential quality
in a musician:
the ability to be sincere
and wholehearted.
So these days
the word they use for it
is charisma;
a musician must have
this charisma.
Yes, yes.
But I think
we can safely say that
the quality is really
that of love and sincerity.
We’ll have
more wonderful music
from the Budapest
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra
after these messages.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Music means everything
to me and
talent really is from God.
It is the meaning
of my life, the goal
that I set for myself
so that the divine talent,
that I received from God,
could be passed on
and I could show that
this talent and divine gift
is all based on love.
I am a man of faith and
I know that everything that
we get from God is a gift.
The Budapest
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra
has touched the hearts
of audiences worldwide.
They are praised
enthusiastically
for their spirit as well as
their technique.
Though primarily known
for playing famous
Hungarian and
international Gypsy music,
they also perform other
genres such as Western
classical masterpieces.
Naturally, it is always
good for a musician
to play something that
the audience likes very much.
One of those pieces
for example
is the “Pacsirta.”
But apart from that,
we also played a very
beautiful, wonderful piece
that is the Sarazate.
This is the work
of a Spanish composer,
entitled “Gypsy Style,”
where he has rewritten
Hungarian folksongs,
songs played by Gypsies.
This too is in the program.
And then,
music by (Johann) Strauss
is very close to Hungary
and the Hungarian
Gypsy music.
And we play
with much pleasure
the piece entitled
“Tales from
the Viennese Forest,”
alongside with
many more pieces.
Not long ago
we had an engagement
to play some film music,
music that was new
to people in general,
not to mention
to an orchestra
accustomed to playing
traditional music,
as we are.
For example,
we played a piece from
“The Pirates
of the Caribbean,”
(Yes, yes.)
if I may say so,
to great acclaim.
So it was
an enriching experience
for the members
of the orchestra,
to rise to the challenge
of such a situation.
Most certainly.
Another
amazing experience
was when we played
at the Amsterdam
Konzert Gebaude,
where the greatest
symphony orchestras
have played and still play.
Our concert was
totally sold out;
they had to add
300 folding chairs.
So that in addition to
the permanent seating
capacity of 3,200,
300 extra places
were required.
People were even
sitting on the stairs.
Fantastic.
So that was a truly
wonderful experience.
It was wonderful
to play our music there,
which, after all,
is a little like
symphony music itself.
Yes.
On the other hand,
you have given
charity concerts as well.
What`s the goal of these (concerts)?
We are more than happy
to play music for purpose
that touches everyone.
We are also very touched
when it comes to children.
Yes.
There is a foundation called
“Our Child Is Our Life,”
which organizes one
or two galas each year
and this is
a charity concert.
When we participate
in this gala,
they give different
medical equipment,
(Yes, yes.)
which are life saving
instruments.
And we are very happy
if we can help by that.
“Buffó” Rigó Sándor
ultimately sees
his orchestra’s music
as an expression of love.
Talent is a gift that we
have to make good use of
and by all means
share it with others.
So we have to show
how much God graced us
when He gave us
such musical talent,
and that love
I just talked about before,
we can only show truly
by our musical talent
and musical ability.
This love can be reached
and grasped by everyone.
And this love will be
passed on by those who
have listened to our show;
they will pass it on,
and the whole world
will be better
and love each other.
Would you say
a few words of farewell
to our viewers?
I really hope that
we will soon get to
all those places where
this interview is seen.
I would very much like
to play music in person
for everyone;
please be a little patient,
we will get to all places.
I thank you very much
for being with us
and for your attention.
We thank you also.
It`s my pleasure.
Good day.
We deeply thank
the Budapest
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra
for performing
such splendid,
peaceful music which
truly enriches our world.
Also, our gratitude
goes to director
“Buffó” Rigó Sándor
for speaking to us about
the orchestra’s history
and the beautiful traditions
of the Roma.
May many more people
across the globe
discover the magnificent
Roma musical heritage
through this ensemble.
For more information
on the Budapest
Gypsy Symphony Orchestra,
please visit
or
Thank you
for joining us today
on A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms.
Up next is
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living,
right after
Noteworthy News,
here on
Supreme Master Television.
May we all appreciate
with loving gratitude
our God-given talents
and gifts.