TÉKA 50th Anniversary Concert and Dance House

The band, Téka was founded in 1976.

Their mission is to collect, preserve, and pass on the original values of Hungarian folk music. They learned melodies and playing styles from master musicians living in villages. They played together at weddings and dance houses, where they also absorbed the importance of the unwritten rules still alive in village communities, such as keeping one’s word and honoring integrity. Alongside preserving melodies and performance styles, it is important to them to pass their knowledge on to younger generations. They teach in art schools and music schools, and actively support the development of the next generation in Hungarian folk music. Their name is associated with the creation and organization of folk art camps; at the legendary Téka Folk Art Camp, thousands became devoted to Hungarian culture. Since 1977, they ran their own club and dance house, which they handed over to younger generations in 2010. They also published a Dance House Information Booklet, drawing attention to the values of folk art and guiding audiences toward preserving them.

Through their educational concert series titled “Music of the Hungarians,” they have presented a comprehensive picture of the dances and music of the Hungarian-speaking regions in numerous schools and kindergartens.

With 27 albums, they have preserved both their own repertoire and that of their master musicians, paying tribute to them. Their work has been recognized with awards such as the Young Master of Folk Art, the Transylvanian World Federation’s Ruby Medal of Honor, the Hungarian Art Award, the Bartók Memorial Prize, and the Hungarian Heritage Award. Through their music, they have traveled across nearly all of Europe and have represented Hungarian culture in Mexico, Canada, the United States, India, China, Japan, and Australia.

Members of the Téka Ensemble:

Máté Kalász – violin
Beatrix Tárnoki Ráczky – vocals, koboz
Tamás Kalász – double bass
György Lányi – kontra, bagpipe, koboz, vocals

They will celebrate their 50th anniversary concert here at Fonó Budai Zeneház (Fonó Music House), with special guest László Porteleki, who co-founded the ensemble together with György Lányi.

Their concert will take the audience on a journey through 50 years of highlights, featuring both old and new “Téka pieces.”

Free event!