| Katica Illényi | |
|---|---|
 Katica Illényi playing the theremin | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1968-02-17) February 17, 1968 (age 56) Budapest |
| Origin | Hungary |
| Instrument(s) | Violin, theremin, vocals |
| Years active | 1991-present |
| Labels | EMI Music, IKP Music |
| Website | https://www.katicaillenyi.com/ |
Katica Illényi (Hungarian: [ˈkɒtit͡sɒ ˈilleːɲi]) is a Hungarian violinist, singer, dancer and theremin player. She has classical training, and plays in several musical genres including folk music, klezmer and Manouche jazz.
Life and career
Illényi comes from a musical family. She was raised in Budapest, Hungary and began learning the violin with her father, Ferenc Illényi, who played in the orchestra of the Hungarian State Opera. Her older brother (also Ferenc) is a violinist with the Houston Symphony, her younger brother Csaba is a violin graduate of the Vienna Academy of Music, and her sister Aniko is a cellist with the Stadtorchester Winterthur in Switzerland. Illenyi attended the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, after which she broadened her repertoire to include classical, jazz, and world music.
In 2002 Illenyi embarked on a solo stage career performing concerts containing eclectic programs of classical, jazz, and movie soundtrack themes. In 2014 she began public performances with the Theremin, which she has continued to include in many of her concerts.
Illenyi has received international accolades, performing at concerts organized in cooperation with the Embassies of Hungary in several countries. In 2010 she organized a family reunion concert with her brothers and sister at the Bela Bartok National Concert Hall, Palace of Arts Budapest.
Awards
Hungary's Outstanding Artist - 15th March 2020
Artist of Merit of Hungary - 15th March 2015
Franz Liszt Award - 15th march 2014
Artisjus Award 2010
eMeRTon Award 2002
Discography
2019. Jubilee Concert - Budapest Congress Center
2018. Tango Classic, Celebration Hall of Vigadó
2017. Katica Illényi & Friends Budapest Congress Center
2016. New Year Concert at Royal Ballroom with Budapest Strings
2016. Theremin Christmas
2015. Around the world in 80 days
2014. Live in Budapest
2014. The Stephane Grappelli Tribute
2014. Live at the Thalia Theatre
2013. Reloaded Jazzy Violin
2013. World Famous Movie Songs and Evergreens
2012. Around the world with a violin
2012. Classic violin
2012. Katica Illényi and her Siblings at the Palace of Art sin Budapest
2010. Songs of Love
2008. The Jazzy Violin
2007. Concert at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
2006. Live at the Palace of Arts Budapest
2005. Honeysuckle rose
2002. Premier
References
- ^ She is seen playing the instrument in this YouTube video.
- ^ Barry Davis (4 September 2014). No Fiddling Around. The Jerusalem Post. Accessed June 2017.
- Ferenc Illenyi. Houston Symphony. Accessed June 2021.
- ^ Valerio Saggini (18 July 2020). Katica Illenyi: Building bridges with the Theremin. ThereminVox. Accessed June 2021.
- Shannon Donnelly (25 March 2018). A Rare Experience. Palm Beach Daily News. Accessed June 2021.
- Katica Illenyi. Tango Classic
- Por Barriada (27 September 2019). La violista hungara Katica Illenyi. Barriada. Accessed June 2021.
- Azad Ali (20 January 2018). Katica Illenyi Wows the Audience. Azad News. Accessed June 2021.
- Katica Illenyi. Sisters and brothers in concert.