Tamás Velenczei

Born in Esztergom, Hungary

Member since 2000-03-01

»To play in this orchestra was always my dream, and one day it came true. I’m very proud to be the first Hungarian musician to attain the position of principal. I’ve lost count as to how many works I’ve played, but it’s always great fun for me to be able to discover new worlds in music.«

His primary school teacher was the first to recognize his musical talent. She sent Tamás Velenczei to the music school, where he was only interested in the brass instruments, especially the trumpet – because of its beautiful sound. It was also small and easy to carry – at that time Tamás already hated carrying heavy things. Following studies in Szeged and Budapest, he completed his training through a scholarship to the Sir Georg Solti Foundation in Chicago and in San Diego. He began his orchestral career in 1983 as a member of the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.

From 1992-98 he was principal trumpet in the Budapest Festival Orchestra, and in March 2000 he came to the Berliner Philharmoniker. With the start of the 2018/2019 season, he moved to the body of the section from the position of principal trumpet. He belongs to the Berlin Philharmonic Brass and also appears as a soloist and in various other chamber ensembles. In addition, he teaches in the Philharmonic’s Orchestra Academy and is a professor at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. He regards as his greatest hobby his daughter Dora, his family and everything he can do together with them.