Éva Tamássy
Éva Tamássy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1936 Budapest, Hungary |
| Died | Error: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day Stellenbosch, South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Flautist, educator |
Éva Tamássy (1936 – 30 November 2018) was a Hungarian-born flutist and influential music educator. She is particularly remembered for her contributions to classical music in South Africa, where she became a prominent figure after emigrating from Hungary in the late 1950s.
Early Life and Education
Tamássy was born in Budapest in 1936. She pursued her musical education at the Ferenc Erkel Conservatorium and the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. Following her studies in Hungary, she further honed her skills under the tutelage of renowned French flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal.[1]
Career in South Africa
In 1956, Tamássy fled Hungary with her family in the wake of the Hungarian Revolution, eventually settling in Johannesburg, South Africa. She quickly established herself as a leading figure in the South African classical music scene, performing as a soloist, chamber musician, and broadcaster. Her performances with various ensembles, including Musica Antiqua, the Pro Arte Wind Ensemble, and the Tamássy-Fortescue Duo, were widely acclaimed.[2]
In 1965, she obtained the Unisa Performers' Licentiate in Flute with distinction, further cementing her reputation as a virtuoso flutist. Her career also included regular collaborations with South African orchestras, as well as significant contributions to South African radio.[1][2]
Teaching and Mentorship
Tamássy held a teaching position at the University of Stellenbosch from 1960, where she trained and mentored several generations of flutists. Many of her students went on to have successful careers in music, both in South Africa and internationally. She frequently traveled to Europe to stay abreast of the latest developments in flute pedagogy and facilitated opportunities for her students to study at prestigious institutions abroad.[2]
In addition to her teaching, Tamássy presented masterclasses across Europe and South Africa and was involved in several radio programs, including a 13-part series titled From Shepherd to Symphony. She also arranged Hungarian folk songs and other works for flute and piano, contributing significantly to the repertoire.[2]
Later Life and Legacy
Even after her retirement in 1998, Tamássy continued to teach and perform. She maintained a small group of students until shortly before her death in 2018. Her influence as a teacher and performer remains significant, with her former students organizing tribute concerts and events in her honor.
Her extensive collection of flute scores is housed at the Africa Open Institute for Music, Research and Innovation, located at Pieter Okkers House, 7 Joubert Street, Stellenbosch. The collection is curated by Esther Marie Pauw.[1][2]
Tamássy's contributions to music and flute pedagogy have left a lasting legacy, particularly in South Africa, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the classical music landscape.[1]