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HISTORY
Misztrál – a musical ensemble formed in 1997 – is a popular formation of the Hungarian musical era. Their repertoire consists of both Hungarian and foreign poems, together with folksong-adaptations. The common root from which all their works stem is the famous tradition of Hungarian folkmusic, which is often mixed with certain branches of contemporary world music. Their songs have increasingly come to bear a certain quality, a unique „Misztrál-sound”, so to speak. The vocally pre-eminent and musically most proficient members of the ensemble have managed to meld their individual tastes and inspirations – which range from classical music, folk music and popular musical studies to sounds of both ancient and contemporary musical lineage – into one harmonic whole. These thirtysomething men have made a conscious decision to show the world the colourfulness of these most diverse poems now put to music. Their choices in verse reflect a powerful interest in European and Hungarian history alike. Apart from Hungarian poetry, they often draw inspiration from the evergreen fountains of European poetry as well (Baudelaire, Garcia Lorca, Villon).
These past eleven years have seen not only nine discs (both CD and DVD) appear in quick succession, but also the establishment of the three-day Misztrál Festival in the heart of the Dunakanyar, near to Budapest, an event held traditional now by many – not to mention the creation of a national club-network. Apart from their country-crossing concerts, they have also performed abroad at a number of occasions, from Transylvania to the United States. Together with the love of their ever-growing fanbase, they’ve also received critical acclaim: in 2006 the Béla Bartók Award, and in 2008 the Bálint Balassi Medallion was awarded to them.
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In their third album, they greet Bálint Balassi,
the Hungarian literary personage, contemporary of Shakespeare and notable
soldier in the Turkish wars, thus evoking the sounds of the renaissance.
Their next CD commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1956 revolution
and civil war, together with the 550th anniversary of the victory at
Nándorfehérvár – using mostly works of 20th century poets. The ensemble
celebrated its tenth birthday in 2007 with a large-scale concert, recorded
and published later in a special, two-CD edition. Their last work is
closely attached to the life-work of Janus Pannonius. Misztrál led a
number of Hungarian early musicians and poem-singers in greeting the
Europe-wide known humanist of Hungary. 
