Vedres Csaba

My main musical aim is to compose pieces that are modern and up to classical standards yet accessible. I don't believe in the coldness and inhuman nature of the so-called modern music. In my opinion, during the history of music the 'high music' that was over-sophisticated by the musical establishment has gained renewed influence again from initiatives coming from popular music. I consider rock music as being such a possibility in our age. I think that everlasting values can be created by combining the energetic rhythms of rock and the beautiful traditions of classical music.
I was born in 1964 in Budapest, Hungary, from music teacher parents. I took up piano lessons as a child but later was attracted to rock music. Thus, I changed to guitar at the age of 15 and founded several rock groups in high school. I became familiar with the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, King Crimson and Frank Zappa in 1981; however, the Choral Fantasy of Beethoven also had a great impact on me. The latter led me to choose classical, rather than jazz study at Bartók Béla Conservatory in 1982, where I studied composition under Kocsár Miklós, a highly open and creative teacher. I also obtained a cantor diploma in 1996.
Together with Pejtsik Péter (cello) and Egervári Gábor (flute), I founded After Crying in 1986 and was the leader of the band until my departure in 1994. Our aim was to create "contemporary, but listenable" music. Following this, we found our distinct artistic direction in the music of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, King Crimson, Frank Zappa and Laurie Anderson, rather than in that of composers like Schönberg, Stockhausen, Boulez and Ligeti.
In the December of 1995, I founded the group Townscream. The ensemble disbanded in 1999 due to management difficulties.
From 1994 on, I regularly give solo concerts where I sing, play piano, synthesizers and organ, often with guest musicians. I have released several solo CDs since 1999, gradually shifting back towards classical music.
In November, 2004 I founded Kairosz, a group consisting of a string quartet (members: Gyermán Júlia – violin, Molnár Zsófia – violin, Cs. Nagy Tamás – viola, Sipos Gergõ – cello) and keyboards. We play in a pure acoustic setting. We have released two CDs so far.
Since February 2005, I have been a guest lecturer at the Aesthetic Department of the University of Pécs, giving courses on the aesthetics of popular music. I have also published a book on this topic.
Presently I live in Szentendre, Hungary, with my violinist wife Gyermán Júlia and our four children. I also serve as an organist of the local Peter-Paul church. I composed a Requiem and two masses for liturgical use. I have composed incidental music for more than 40 theatre plays.
Discography
With After Crying
Overground Music 1990 LP / 1993 CD
Megalázottak és megszomorítottak 1992
Föld és ég 1994
Elsõ évtized 1996
Opus 1 (re-release on CD) 2009
1989 (re-release on CD) 2009
With Townscream
Nagyvárosi ikonok 1997
Solo
Tales, letters (Mesék, levelek) 1999
Dance of spirit (with Gyermán Júlia) (Lélektánc) 2000
Music for piano (Zongorazene) 2000
By the break of dawn – Stanislawski's songs (Mire megvirrad – Stanislawski dalok) 2000
Ephata I. – Tortured & Formatted 2001
Breathed prayer (Fohász) (compilation) 2003
Pszichogrammák (with Gyimóthy Gábor) 2009
With Kairosz
Blessed time (Áldott id&otilde) 2006
Give my regards to Chick Corea – Children's Songs variations 2007
Author works, incidental music
Kováts Kriszta: Cipher (Titkosírás) 1994
Két hindu mese 1997
Ludi Savarienses 2003
As guest
Máriáss Péter: Ébredés 2005
Máriáss Péter: A szép fényes hajnalcsillag 2005
Kováts Kriszta: Kovátsmuhely 2005
Téli Márta: Árnyékból fény 2005
Vizy Márton: Tuz töredéke 2005
Villõ Énekegyüttes: Magyar népénekek 2006
Lovasi András – Lackfi János 2007
Cseh Tamás: Fel nagy örömre! 2008
Máriáss Péter: Arany hajnal, Mária 2008