László Deák

Laszló Deák  is one of Hungary’s foremost organists, celebrated for his interpretations of the French Romantic and 20th-century repertoire as well as Central European masters.

Education and Teachers

He studied at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Budapest, graduating with distinction in organ (1991, class of Ferenc Gergely) and piano (1992, class of Jenő Jandó), also completing theoretical studies. From 1996 to 1999, he pursued postgraduate training at the Conservatoire Supérieur in Paris, where he obtained the Prix de Perfectionnement in the class of Marie-Louise Langlais. He also studied improvisation with Naji Hakim and participated in masterclasses with Olivier Latry, Marie-Claire Alain, Jean Guillou, and Harald Vogel.

Competition Distinctions

  • Liszt International Organ Competition, Budapest – 2nd Prize (1993)

  • Grand Prix de Chartres (Interpretation) – 2nd Prize (1994)

  • Pretoria International Organ Competition (South Africa) – 3rd Prize & Special Prize (1998)

  • UFAM International Organ Competition, Paris – 1st Prize (1998)

  • City of Paris International Organ Competition – Second Prize & Special Prize for the best performance of a 20th-century work (1999)

  • Concours International d’Orgue “André Marchal,” Biarritz – André Marchal Prize (1999)

Professional Appointments

Since 1991 he has taught at the Szent István Király Conservatory of Music (Budapest), where he is head of the organ department and mentor professor of the Liszt Academy. Since 2002 he has been principal organist of the Franciscan Church in downtown Budapest (Belvárosi Ferences Templom), curating an active liturgical and concert program.

Concert Venues and Festivals

Deák has performed widely in Hungary and across Europe:

Hungary

  • Müpa – Béla Bartók National Concert Hall (Budapest) – solo recitals and performances with the Hungarian National Philharmonic and the ensembles of Hungarian Radio.

  • Liszt Academy Grand Hall (Budapest) – solo recitals, chamber and orchestral collaborations.

  • Franciscan Church, Downtown Budapest (Belvárosi Ferences Templom) – principal organist, regular liturgical and concert programs.

  • Matthias Church (Budapest) – festival appearances.

  • St. Stephen’s Basilica (Budapest) – organ recitals and international festival programs.

  • Magyar Rádió Studio 6 (Budapest) – concerts, broadcasts and recordings.

  • Esztergom Basilica – organ concerts.

  • Pécs Cathedral – festival concerts.

  • Győr Basilica – organ recitals.

  • Debrecen Reformed Great Church – festival and oratorio concerts.

  • Veszprém Cathedral (St. Michael’s Basilica) – Filharmónia Hungary concert series.

France

  • Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres – recitals at the Chartres International Organ Festival.

  • Église Saint-Eustache, Paris – organ concert.

  • Basilique Sainte-Clotilde, Paris – organ concert (church of César Franck and Jean Langlais).

  • Église Saint-Sulpice, Paris – guest recital.

  • Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges.

  • Cathédrale Saint-Étienne d’Auxerre.

  • Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux.

  • Festival International d’Orgue de Roquevaire.

Italy

  • Basilica di San Vitale, Ravenna Festival.

  • Santa Maria dei Servi, Bologna.

Spain

  • Seville Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla) – festival concert.

  • Organ festival appearances in Andalusia and Catalonia

Slovakia

  • Slovak Radio Concert Hall, Bratislava (Pyramid) – solo recital.

  • St. Catherine’s Church, Kremnica (Körmöcbánya) – Kremnický hradný organ festival.

  • Komárno/Komárom – Harmonia Sacra Danubiana organ evenings.

Belgium

  • Guest at LUCA School of Arts, Leuven and Museum Vleeshuis, Antwerp

Romania / Transylvania (Erdély)

  • Brașov, Biserica Neagră (Black Church) – concert with Mónika Kecskés.

  • Cluj-Napoca, Reformed Church on Kogălniceanu Street (Farkas utcai templom) – organ recital.

  • Cluj-Napoca, St. Michael’s Church (Szent Mihály-templom) – organ recital.

  • Sfântu Gheorghe / Sepsiszentgyörgy, Christ the King Church (Krisztus Király-templom) – Night of the Organs festival.

Other appearances

  • Concerts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland, with programs ranging from Bach and Liszt to Widor, Dupré, Duruflé, Langlais, and contemporary Hungarian composers.

Collaborations and Recordings

He has performed with the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra and other major ensembles, premiering several French and Hungarian works in Budapest. His recordings include The Best of French Organ Music of the 20th Century and contributions to Erkel’s King Stephen (Naxos). Radio and television broadcasts further document his artistry.