Hungarian Flute Music Scene: Anna Pintér Artist Interview

A Hungarian flutist with an active international career, Anna Pintér performs as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player across Europe and beyond. She is a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra and has appeared in major venues including the MÜPA in Budapest and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Her artistry centers on honest expression, communication, and meaningful musical connection.

-Can you give us 5 career highlights?

Choosing 5 is really not easy, as each step of my journey, whether it was a smaller or bigger step in my career, shaped me in different ways. I love performing and I love playing so for me it never really mattered where I played. But if I really have to choose, one of the most defining experiences was performing as a soloist with the Liszt Ferenc Chamber Orchestra at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest. Standing on that stage, in a hall so deeply connected to Hungarian musical history, felt both humbling and empowering.

Also the international competitions have played an important role in my musical and technical development. Winning a competition is one thing, but the journey, the practicing that takes you to perform at a competition is what really counts. I was very lucky when I received first prize at the Puerto Rico Flute Festival’s Young Artist Competition, I really felt how the hard work paid off.

Equally meaningful were my international solo appearances, such as performing in Rome at the Accademia d’Ungheria, in Bucharest at the Atheneul Român, in Prague at the invitation of Young Prague Festival and in Amman, Jordan. These concerts helped me understand how music communicates across cultures. I was very happy to have been able to do these with Luca Laura Kovács, who is my pianist friend and permanent chamber music partner.

Orchestra wise, becoming a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra was another major milestone. EUYO offered not only an exceptionally high artistic level but also the chance to collaborate with inspiring conductors such as Iván Fischer and Vasily Petrenko, and to perform in iconic venues including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Konzerthaus in Berlin. Finally, working in diverse settings from festival stages such as the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Musikverein in Vienna or the Paris Philharmonie, to community concerts with the Budapest Festival Orchestra Academy has reinforced my belief that music’s true power lies in connection, not prestige.

-Can you us a little about the flute music scene in Hungary?

Hungary has a very strong and active flute scene, and Hungarian flutists are clearly present on the international stage. Our tradition is solid, and the level of education is consistently high. Whenever a major international artist comes to give masterclasses or courses in Hungary, the standard is immediately professional and inspiring, which says a lot about the local community.

At the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, we regularly have the opportunity to welcome world-class flutists such as Linda Chesis, András Adorján, and Noémi Győri. Budapest has also hosted major international events like the Tampere Flute Days, with artists including Beatriz Macías, Mario Caroli, and Karin Bonelli. These encounters keep the Hungarian flute scene very connected to international trends and ideas. Domestically, the musical life is extremely active. There are many orchestras, festivals, concerts, and chamber music opportunities, so things are constantly happening. Hungary also has outstanding concert venues, such as the Great Hall of Liszt Academy and Müpa Budapest, which provide an excellent environment for high-level performances.

Of course, there are challenges as well. Hungarian musicians travel a lot with orchestras and participate of recordings, but salaries are relatively low, and it is often cheaper for orchestras to hire Hungarian musicians than foreign ones. At the same time, this creates a very vibrant scene with many performance opportunities. Personally, I am very interested in reforming and expanding the flute concerto repertoire in Hungary. Together with my manager, concert venues, and orchestras, we are actively working on bringing new repertoire and ideas into the concert life, while still respecting tradition.

-What do you like best about teaching?

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to teaching yet, I would love to explore it very much.I think there is something uplifting in encouraging the younger generation to find their own voice and to be open to share their emotions and experiences through music. Also it is an absolutely beautiful journey to build confidence and curiosity through music, and for someone who chooses this path as their career these two things come hand in hand, although it takes years to master them. That is where a good teacher comes into the picture, who knows when to say the right guiding words, pass on musical thinking, and tips on how to solve a technical problem.

-What do you like best about performing?

I really love being on stage. It is where I feel myself most alive. For me, performing is not about showing something off, but about sharing something real, that is coming from the bottom of my soul. I really try to be deeply aware of how the audience feels, and I try to shape every moment of the concert so that it becomes an experience they can truly connect to. I know it is probably impossible but I really try to reach someone with every note that I play. Time on stage shapes me not only as a musician, but as a human being, it teaches me empathy, presence, and trust. Beyond technique and precision, what matters most to me is communication, and the feeling that I am able to give something to the people that takes them away from the greyness of everyday life.

-CD releases?

At the moment I am more focused on live performances and to experience more in my personal life, and to get more knowledge of historical backgrounds of different musical styles. All these experiences have an impact on my interpretation and on my musical thinking. I see the recording as a meaningful musical statement that should come at the right time. I would love to make one that is the purest, most honest way of expressing a piece, but having little hints of myself in it.
I would love to explore projects that combine the Hungarian repertoire with contemporary works, but for now I am enjoying the freedom of shaping my musical voice on stage.

-What does your schedule look like for the next 6 months?

I have many exciting and diverse projects coming up. In the next 6 months performing-wise the focus is more on the orchestra part of my career, performing with the Erdődy Chamber Orchestra and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, but I also have a recital in the Grand Hall of the Liszt Academy at the end of January. I am also doing a Prokofiev Marathon tour with the BFO in Milan’s La Scala, Berlin Philharmonie and China/ Taiwan with Iván Fischer and Mozart projects with Gábor Takács-Nagy.

I really would like to get back into the competition scene, there are so many great competitions coming up, and it is always great to prepare for one.

-What are your goals personally? Professionally?

On a personal level my goal is to maintain a healthy relationship with music. Music is my passion but we need balance in having other interests that we take care of outside of music. I honestly really want to find that balance, because we can learn and grow so much from our hobbies that make us happy or just life and relationships itself, which we can adapt to our playing. Professionally, I aim to deepen my work as both a soloist and an orchestral musician, build long-term collaborations, and continue developing an international career that feels authentic and sustainable.

-What has been your greatest challenge?

What I am going to say now is not really music related. I really would want to be present, and take care of myself and my relationship with my parents and close family. They sacrificed so much for me and my siblings and although it is very hard to keep in touch with them every single day, I struggle with aligning my schedule with them so I could just call them. This is really challenging and I really want to improve in this, because I love them so much and I can be nothing but grateful for what they have given me in my entire life.

-Who were your music mentors? and what did you learn from them?

One of the most important experiences for me was becoming a student of Veronika Oross. She didn’t just teach me flute, she shaped me as a musician and as a person. Every lesson had this special balance of warmth and very high artistic expectations. From her, I learned that behind every note there has

to be a thought and intention, and that being a musician is not only about building technique, but about creating special space. She trusted me with the challenges that came my way from the very beginning, and many times she believed in me before I fully believed in myself. She taught me how to play honestly and personally, while still remaining disciplined and precise.

Another very important mentor in my development was István Matuz, who opened my perspective toward extended techniques and contemporary flute playing. I learned circular breathing from him when I was about 12 or 13 years old, and that had a huge impact on my technical freedom and musical imagination. Modern techniques have been part of my musical language ever since, and I still regularly perform his Studiium, which are based on these modern techniques and whenever I play them, these pieces always seem to inspire me and challenge me in a way.

More recently, Gabriella Pivon, principal flute of the Budapest Festival Orchestra, has also become an important influence. Even though I haven’t known her for a very long time, every time I learn and learn from her, not just about orchestral playing. How to blend with others, how to listen more deeply, and how to use different tone colors to express myself within a collective sound. Playing in an orchestra is a very diverse task and working with her completely changed the way I think about music.

Although conductors are not technically my mentors in the traditional sense, I learn enormously from working with them. Each conductor brings a completely different perspective on interpretation, musical ideas, and artistic ideology. I’m constantly learning through these experiences, from musicians such as Iván Fischer, Vasily Petrenko, Gilbert Varga and Gábor Takács-Nagy. These collaborations continue to shape the way I think about music, communication, and expression on stage.

-Can you give us 5 quirky, secret, fun, (don't think too much about this) hobbies or passions?

I can not really give you 5 hobbies, I love practicing, so I just spend most of my time with my instrument, listening to recordings and reading about historical events related to pieces and compositions. BUT. I do have one passion besides music and it is horse riding. I was 3 or 4 when I first sat on a horse and it was love at first sight. Probably what I most love about it is that you can be silent and you still totally understand each other. When I am on horseback I completely forget about everything. It is just me and the horse, it is truly therapeutic.

-What 3 things would you offer as advice for a young flutist?

Probably the first and most important advice is to stay curious and open minded. Every type of style, technique, expression has value and never be afraid to make mistakes, you can only learn from it. Experiment and listen to whatever or whoever comes your way. Growth could come from the most unexpected place.

Secondly it is crucial to build a strong and correct technical foundation, but never forget why you are doing it. Always connect exercises with musical ideas, this way it is not going to be monotonous at all. Technique is essential, but it only matters if it serves your musical expressions.

And third, go out and live. Travel, explore new countries and cultures, make friends. Try to find something that you truly love outside of music. Building relationships with other people and making memories with them also shape your personality and you will have something special to share through music.