The Budapest String Quartet, March 1938. L-to-R: Josef Roisman, Boris Kroyt, Mischa Schneider, Alexander Schneider

The Budapest String Quartet was a string quartet in existence from 1917 to 1967. It originally consisted of three Hungarians and a Dutchman; at the end, the quartet consisted of four Russians. A number of recordings were made for HMV/Victor through 1938; from 1940 through 1967 it recorded for Columbia Records. Additionally, several of the Quartet's live performances were recorded, at the Library of Congress and other venues.

Members[link]

Budapest String Quartet at Fredric R. Mann Auditorium, Tel Aviv, 1961

1st Violin:

• Emil Hauser (1893–1978) (from 1917 to 1932)
• Josef Roisman (Joe) (1900–1974) (from 1932 to 1967)

2nd Violin:

• Alfred Indig (from 1917 to 1920)
• Imre Pogany (1893–1975) (from 1920 to 1927)
• Josef Roisman (Joe) (1900–1974) (from 1927 to 1932)
• Alexander Schneider (Sasha) (1908–1993) (from 1932 to 1944 and from 1955 to 1967)
• Edgar Ortenberg (1900–1996) (from 1944 to 1949)
• Jac Gorodetzky (1913–1955) (from 1949 to 1955)

Viola:

• István Ipolyi (1886–1955) (from 1917 to 1936)
• Boris Kroyt (1897–1969) (from 1936 to 1967)

Cello:

• Harry Son (1880- ca.1940) (from 1917 to 1930)
• Mischa Schneider (1904–1985) (from 1930 to 1967)

History of the quartet[link]

Foundation[link]

The Budapest String Quartet was formed in 1917 by four friends, all members of opera orchestras that had ceased playing owing to World War I The members were all protégés of Jenő Hubay (violin), a Hungarian pupil of Joseph Joachim and David Popper (cello), a Bohemian. Hubay and Popper had helped to make Budapest a major centre for musical education, attracting famous students such as Josef Szigeti. Hubay and Popper had supported Sándor Végh and Feri Roth in the formation of quartets, and were themselves part of an earlier Budapest Quartet, the new quartet being named partly in honour of that. The debut recital of the new Budapest String Quartet (in Hungarian: Budapesti Vónosnégyes), took place in December 1917 in Kolozsvár, then in Hungary, now called Cluj-Napoca, in present-day Romania.^[1]

The quartet was established with quite forward-looking rules:

1. All disputes, musical or business, were to be resolved by a vote. In case of a tie—no change.
2. Players were not allowed to take engagements outside the quartet.
3. Players were paid equally—no preference was given for the leader (first violin).
4. No wives or girlfriends were permitted at rehearsals or discussions.^[1]

No previous quartet had attempted to live entirely on the proceeds from its concerts. This was a brave decision for the time. The original members were Emil Hauser, aged 24, from Budapest; Alfred Indig, from Hungary; István Ipolyi, aged 31, from Újvidék in Hungary; and Harry Son from Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.^[1]

In 1920 Indig resigned in the hope of advancement; he was replaced by Imre Pogany. Pogany came from Budapest and had studied under Hubay and Kodály. After resigning, Indig became a soloist with the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam. In 1931 he became Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic. When the Nazis came to power, Indig fled to Paris where he led a quartet for a while. Nothing more is known about him.^[1]

Move to Berlin[link]

In 1921 or 1922, owing to unrest in Budapest, the quartet moved to Berlin. There they developed a large repertoire. The quartet received mixed reviews, however. In 1925 they played in London and signed a recording contract with His Master’s Voice, making recordings at Abbey Road Studios.^[1]

In May 1927, without telling the others, Pogany traveled to Cincinnati to see his friend Fritz Reiner about a job in the symphony orchestra there. He was offered Principal Second Violin but refused it. The other members of the quartet were furious because if he had left, they would have found it very difficult to find and rehearse a replacement player in time for the new season. In the ensuing row Pogany resigned. He emigrated to America and joined the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and also taught at the local Conservatory of Music. In 1929 he joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini as principal second violin. He remained there until his retirement in 1958.^[1]

Josef Roisman – second violin[link]

The man recommended to replace Pogany was Josef Roisman (Joe). Roisman was born on 25 July 1900 in Odessa. He started on the violin at the age of six with Pyotr Stolyarsky, who was also the first teacher of David Oistrakh and Nathan Milstein. After the tragic early death of Josef’s father, a wealthy Odessa woman made it possible for Josef, his sister and mother to relocate to Berlin so that Josef could study with Alexander Fiedemann. There Josef befriended Boris Kroyt, another Odessan studying with Fiedemann. At the outbreak of World War I the family returned to Odessa where Josef continued his studies with Naoam Blinder, another Odessa player who had just returned from England.^[1]

After the Russian Revolution, Roisman was co-opted to play at farms and factories. He managed to escape in 1923 while working near Poland. He traveled to Prague, then to Berlin. In Berlin, Roisman met up with Kroyt, who found work for him in a film orchestra. It was during this time that the quartet offer came. Roisman was comfortable and secure in the orchestra but his first love was chamber music. In the end his wife Polo persuaded him to take the financial risk and sacrifice involved.^[1]

Immediately he began to regret it. Hauser and Son were constantly in dispute and soliciting his vote. Moreover, Roisman had his own issues—in particular Hauser and Ipolyi, who could not play Spiccato (German Springbogen), so that the quartet was forced not to use it. The rest of the quartet had had to become expert in using another technique (German Spitzen) to get around Hauser and Ipolyi's inability to play spiccato. Roisman found it hard work to catch up. He had to spend many hours practicing and he was unhappy with the result. In Germany, the quartet was called das Spitzenquartett (not a compliment) because it substituted Spitzen for Springbogen.^[1]

Finally in 1930/31 Son could stand the rows no longer and resigned. He emigrated to Palestine and played in concerts there and abroad. Shortly before World War II he made the unfortunate decision to return to Rotterdam. When the Germans invaded Holland, he and his wife were arrested and never heard from again.^[1]

Mischa Schneider – cellist[link]

The new cellist was originally named Mojzesz Sznejder, later rendered in German as 'Mischa Schneider'. Born in 1904 in Vilna, Russia (now Vilnius, Lithuania), Schneider had a difficult upbringing. The family had little money and his father was a tyrant. Mischa often found himself defending his younger brother Sasha against their father. In 1920, at the age of 16, Mischa left home to study in Leipzig under Julius Klengel, his teacher’s teacher. Fellow students included Emanuel Feuermann, Gregor Piatigorsky and Benar Heifetz. After graduating he moved to Frankfurt, where he taught at the Hoch Conservatory. He found that he suffered from stage fright when playing solo, a problem that did not exist when playing in a quartet. He joined the Prisca Quartet but resigned after a while due to a personality clash with two of the other members. The Prisca had often played in Cologne and there he got to know the Reifenbergs, whose daughter Eva had married Emanuel Feuermann. It was Frau Reifenberg who introduced Schneider to the Budapest Quartet.^[1]

American debut[link]

In January and February 1931, the quartet made its first United States tour. Reviews were fairly good but financially the tour was unrewarding. Arguments about Spitzen and other matters continued and relations became difficult. Then in 1932, Hauser wanted to play some concerts with Alice Ehlers. The quartet refused to allow this deviation from the rules and Hauser resigned. He emigrated to Jerusalem, formed a quartet and founded the Palestine Music Conservatory. Hauser helped violinist Bronisław Huberman rescue many Jews from Austria, Czechoslovakia and Germany and was instrumental in founding the Palestine Symphony Orchestra. In 1940 he moved to the U.S., teaching first at Bard College in upper New York State, and later at the Juilliard School of Music. Hauser returned to Israel in 1960.^[1]

Roisman becomes the leader and Alexander Schneider the second violinist[link]

Having lost Hauser, the quartet needed a new leader. Introducing an unknown person as leader is a risky step for a quartet. Owing to the established relationships and 'comfort level', a transition from Second Violin to First is safer. For this reason, Roisman was persuaded to make the switch from Second to First.^[1]

The new Second was Mischa Schneider’s younger brother Alexander (Sasha), born Abram Sznejder. At 13, Abram almost died of tetanus after cutting his knee in an accident. The tetanus distorted his joints and recovery was long and painful. Sascha left Vilna in 1924 and joined his brother in Frankfurt, securing a scholarship to study violin with Adolf Rebner, the principal violin tutor at the Hoch Conservatory. In 1927, Alexander became leader (concertmaster) of an orchestra in Saarbrücken. In 1929 he was appointed leader of the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Orchestra in Hamburg. In 1932, he lost his job as a result of the ongoing Nazi campaign against Jews. It was time to leave Germany and the Budapest vacancy happened at just the right moment.^[1]

After Sascha's arrival, the Quartet's level of performance improved immediately and the group began attracting larger audiences. Successful tours of the U.S., Dutch East Indies, Australia and New Zealand ensued, and in exchange for relocating to Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation guaranteed the quartet six months of work a year. Still, personal relations within the Quartet were poor. Sasha was often outvoted; he hated this but Ipolyi was usually able to pacify him. Ipolyi himself had mental 'issues'. Mischa had divorced his wife and remarried. The group was still not profitable.^[1]

By 1934, Jews had been expelled from all German orchestras but the Quartet, as 'Hungarian' visitors, had been spared. However, one night they received threats from a Nazi group. Overnight, they switched headquarters from Berlin to Paris, never to return to Germany. They toured Europe and the U.S. but always lived in inexpensive hotels and ate cheaply.^[1]

The last founding member leaves[link]

Ipolyi became an isolated member of the quartet, the only Hungarian among three Russians. He was also the only Spitzen player left, old-fashioned in style and undergoing a nervous breakdown as well. In 1936 the others persuaded him to resign. He settled in Norway, but during the German occupation was arrested. He was freed thanks to the intervention of Count Bernadotte, head of the International Red Cross. He fled to Sweden but returned to Norway after the war. Ipolyi became a Norwegian citizen, taught a quartet in Bergen and became a professor. Mischa Schneider made sure that Ipolyi received the royalties due to him. He died in 1955.^[1]

Boris Kroyt becomes violist[link]

It was urgent to replace the viola player Ipolyi. The Australian Broadcast Corporation had engaged the Quartet for a twenty-week tour to start in May 1937 with four performances a week and the option of another ten weeks in New Zealand. They needed the money. They also had regular engagements in Europe and America. Roisman nearly engaged Edgar Ortenberg, whom he had known when they were both children in Odessa and then again in Berlin in 1926. However Ortenberg’s wife wanted him to stick to the violin. Roisman then tried to locate his teenage friend Boris Kroyt in Berlin. Until the Nazis had become all powerful Boris Kroyt had lived well but the Nazis had stopped all Jews from working except in Jewish groups. He had a wife and children to support and they were all in danger. The offer of the Budapest job came at the ideal moment and he was an outstanding natural player. He was such a natural player that he could get away without spending much time practising. They took time to get used to one another but they reached a very high standard.^[1]

In November 1936 they reached New York and critics were impressed as never before, comparing them with Toscanini and Schnabel. Concerts were well attended. After the US they went on to Australia, New Zealand and Dutch East Indies with equally good results. After playing in France and Britain they reached New York again in March 1938. After a difficulty with the Immigration Service their first US concert was very much praised.^[1]

All the US concerts were negotiated by Annie Friedberg from New York. This continued throughout their time in the US, beginning with very little money and ending with excellent returns for them and her. On April 25, 1938 they recorded the Mozart Clarinet Quintet with Benny Goodman for the Victor label.^[1]

In 1939 they again had good results in Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Norway and Britain but not in Spain and Italy where people were more concerned with political issues. From the US they received a request to play five Stradivarii string instruments which needed regular use at the Washington Library of Congress. These instruments had been purchased and donated by Gertrude Clarke Whittall who had a continuing influence. The recital hall in the grounds of the Library had just been built with money donated by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, a major benefactor of chamber music and of several music festivals. At that time they felt it would keep them away from existing relationships in Europe.^[1]

U.S. becomes the home base[link]

In the summer they were back spending three months in the US at Mills College in Oakland California, a place where they could relax. The Pro Arte Quartet normally did this but this year they preferred to be in Belgium. They never returned and the Budapest went to Mills for the next fifteen years. That first year at Mills they learned that World War II had started in Europe and their European contracts were now void. The Library of Congress offer now sounded more attractive and they accepted it. Their concerts at the library continued for many years and created an important relationship for them.^[1]

Since 1925 they had been making recordings for His Master's Voice, first at the Beethoven Saal in Berlin, then at Abbey Road Studio in London and from 1938 at Camden, New Jersey for RCA Victor, the US subsidiary of HMV. The HMV contract was valid until June 1940. It was not paying well and RCA had a good stock of recordings not yet published. They were not keen to make any more recordings in 1939. The quartet found it difficult to persuade RCA to give them as much work as they wanted or to pay them as their new reputation might justify. RCA were also in no hurry to extend the existing contract. The quartet felt that with their increasing reputation in the US they could do better with Columbia Recording Company. Columbia were delighted to sign a deal and make as many recordings as the quartet wished as they had no existing stock. The deal was made and kept secret as long as possible. When they finally learned about it RCA wrote, “We are astonished…close to a definite breach of faith”. They should have realised that that they had no right to be the only negotiators in a deal. Over 35 years the quartet recorded 89 pieces, some of them several times. For many years it was Columbia’s leading classical music seller, quite a loss to RCA.^[1]

Alexander Schneider replaced by Edgar Ortenberg[link]

Sasha felt he could and needed to work outside the quartet. As second violin he did not get the same challenges as the leader. After thinking about this a lot, he finally reached his decision and told the others on November 26, 1943. He was still only thirty-five years old, having spent eleven years in the quartet and needed to expand his range. On January 1, 1944 the quartet selected the new second violin. He was Edgar Ortenberg, the man who had nearly been the violist.^[1]

Like Joe and Boris, Edgar had grown up in Odessa. Until the Russian Revolution his father had been the director of a bank. Afterwards they were very short of money. In 1921 he won the gold medal at the Odessa Conservatory and was immediately hired to teach there. In 1924 he moved to Berlin to do better, just as Joe, the Schneiders, and Boris had done. After reaching Berlin he immediately got a scholarship at the Hochschule für Musik. He changed his name from Eleazer to Edgar. He started a quartet and they toured Europe until 1933 when the Nazis sacked them all and he quickly moved to Paris. There the Russian Conservatory formed a quartet and they had some success in Europe. When war was threatened he joined the French Army. In April 1940 he left because of illness. He and his wife left Paris just before the Germans got there. They went to Portugal and caught the very last Spanish ship to travel from there to the US. After struggling in New York for some time he received a second offer from the Budapest Quartet in December 1943 and this time accepted it.^[1]

Edgar was generally considered a fine replacement for Sasha. However, some critics and all the players felt that he should play more forcibly. On the other hand he felt their playing was a bit rough. He also wanted to spend more time rehearsing since he needed to get used to their methods and accustomed to their large repertory. The others, especially Boris, were not so keen to rehearse. It took Edgar two years to feel fully at home. However, the others felt Edgar should do more private practice and he was becoming audibly nervous. Critics still felt the quartet was wonderful but not quite as good as before. Ortenberg was exhausted by the constant traveling. Late in 1948 the others told him they wanted a different second violinist. As soon as it was made public, Ortenberg was swamped by other offers. Ortenberg made his last performance with the quartet on March 10, 1949 at Cornell University. He joined the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and stayed there until he retired in 1984. He also taught at Temple University from 1953 to 1978.^[1]

Jac Gorodetzky[link]

The new second violin was Jac Gorodetzky. He was born in Odessa but the family moved to London when he was only one, to avoid a pogrom. They moved to the US before the war, settling in Philadelphia. He was well thought of as a student and secured good positions in orchestras and quartets. However his playing, like Ortenberg’s, was a little quiet. He was well thought of at the Budapest auditions and was in his mid-thirties.^[1]

In 1950 the quartet went to Europe for the first time after the war. They agreed not to go to Germany, especially because Schneider had lost his mother and sister at Auschwitz. This tour, together with the continual demand in the US put heavy stress on Gorodetzky. He developed stage fright, sometimes demanding extra rehearsals of works they had already played.^[1]

Then in September 1952 they played in Japan. There were the first quartet to arrive there after the war. The whole season was sold out in two hours. 3000 people were present at the first concert. There were staff to attend to their every need and cars to take them everywhere. One night they felt the need to get some exercise in Okayama. They were walking on a narrow road. Joe fell into a nine foot ditch and broke his left wrist. They had it set at the US Military Hospital in Tokyo. On return to the US they were told the wrist had been improperly set and it had to be broken and reset. Concerts were switched to trios and piano quartets. After months of hard work Joe resumed duties in Portland, Oregon on January 12, 1953.^[1]

In 1954 they had another Japanese tour with even greater success but Jac was getting more uncomfortable. In February he told the others he wanted to leave. They hoped to talk him out of it. No one realised how unwell he was. Finally in November 1955 he killed himself in a small hotel in Washington. The other players felt awful. They played benefit concerts for his family at the Settlement Music School. Later Mischa left them most of his music and on his death Joe left them most of his money.^[1]

Alexander Schneider returns[link]

Joe refused to accept another new second violinist but fortunately they managed to persuade Sasha to return. Against their previous rule they allowed him to spend some time working independently because they needed him and they did not want to take as many engagements as before. As soon as he returned they all felt happier than for many years and the critics were fulsome in their praise.^[1]

In the ten years he was away Sasha had been very busy. He rejected offers to lead the Pro Arte and Paganini Quartets. He toured with Ralph Kirkpatrick. He played unaccompanied Bach. He played trios. He studied with Pablo Casals in Prades and persuaded Casals to start festivals in Prades, Puerto Rico, Israel and Marlboro in Vermont. He started a quartet to record all the 83 Haydn quartets for the Haydn Society although they ran out of money before it was finished. He persuaded Mrs Coolidge to finance the provision of free outdoor concerts in Greenwich Village. He played with the Budapest when Ortenberg or Gorodetzky was not well.^[1]

Decline[link]

As the 1960s approached the quartet was very happy. It was the most popular and famous quartet, with 55 record albums published by Columbia and two million copies sold and playing in many famous venues and festivals. However in 1960 Joe started to have periods of poor intonation apparently owing to a mild heart attack at the end of 1960. Only then did he tell the others that, as early as 1939 he had been told that his blood pressure was high. Occasionally he had had intonation problems but in 1960 it got worse.^[1]

In March 1962 they played their final concert in the Library of Congress. There had been a number of issues of which Joe’s intonation had been the worst. Critics and listeners had complained and Mrs Coolidge herself had complained. They were replaced by the young Juilliard Quartet. Then in the autumn they were in Europe when suddenly Joe suffered a slipped disc. He restarted playing in early 1963 and they returned to Australia after twenty six years away. Joe’s energy was declining and they cut down the number of concerts year by year.^[1]

Marlboro College[link]

In 1955 Sasha had joined the Marlboro Music School and Festival at Marlboro College in southern Vermont. It was a School, a Music Festival and a Summer Retreat. He was a whirlwind. He pushed the young players to stretch their talents. In time he brought the other Budapest players and they made the place a breeding ground for a generation of chamber musicians. The school had been founded in 1950 by the violinist Adolf Busch and flautist Marcel Moyse and their families. Busch died before Sasha arrived but his son-in-law Rudolf Serkin was still very active and the two men became staunch friends. Sasha spent the next twenty summers there.^[1]

In 1962 Sasha persuaded Mischa to come too and the next year the whole quartet came. Many experienced musicians came. Many talented younger players came and reached high standards. Students found Sasha assertive and his manner was a bit hard on those who were nervous or not reaching for the highest standards. For the best however he was perfect. Mischa and Boris were gentler. They were very willing to try new ideas from their students and each side was inspired by the enthusiasm of the other.^[1]

Sasha persuaded Michael Tree, Arnold Steinhardt, John Dalley and David Soyer to form a quartet – a daunting challenge for any player – and Boris suggested the name Guarneri. They spent a lot of time together at Marlboro and the Guarneri Quartet may be regarded as the musical heirs of the Budapest Quartet.^[1]

In later years the Budapest played fewer concerts and saw each other only for concerts. Audiences filled the halls and they were admired but they did not practice very often either individually or together. There were errors of detail but the general effect was still good. Sasha felt he wanted to share what he was still learning but Joe wanted to stay as he was.^[1]

Conclusion[link]

In January 1965 the group spent twelve days recording Dvořák’s “American” Quartet and Smetana’s Quartet “From My Life”. Joe had major intonation problems and Mischa had trouble with his back. A recording of the Dvořák was spliced together from multiple takes and published but the players refused to accept a similar splice of the Smetana. Then Mischa and Boris and the Guarneri performed and recorded Tchaikovsky's “Souvenir de Florence” with success. Immediately Mischa had to have an operation on his back, which had troubled him since 1930. The operation failed, and a second attempt also failed. Misha never played again but he did teach extensively, including 25 summers at the Marlboro Music Festival. Mischa died on October 3, 1985 in Buffalo, New York.^[2][1]

In 1977 Sasha abruptly left Marlboro. He never explained why but he and Serkin remained fast friends. In 1969 Boris died of cancer. In 1974 Joe had a heart attack and died. In 1993 Sasha had heart failure and died having played almost to the end.^[1]

The Budapest String Quartet had a huge influence on chamber music in the United States and internationally. When they began in the late 1930s it was hard to get big audiences. The concerts in Washington and New York, the radio broadcasts and the many records gradually raised audience numbers, made them famous and wealthy and set a high standard which was influential on many later players.^[1]

Jascha Heifetz was once quoted as saying: "One Russian is an anarchist. Two Russians are a chess game. Three Russians are a revolution. Four Russians are the Budapest String Quartet."

Recordings[link]

Although most entries in the following lists are taken either from actual LPs and CDs and their liner notes or from trustworthy print or online sources, the lists are supplemented by a discography prepared by Sony Classical,^[3] apparently for their own use in identifying stock numbers. However this Sony discography contains a number of errors in identifying recording dates, personnel, and in some instances even compositions and composers. All information from this Sony discography as shown below that could not be verified from another source is preceded by an asterisk [*] as being possibly questionable.

Square brackets indicate the initials of the violist, or of the second violinist; e.g., [Va=II] indicates István Ipolyi as violist. Several recording dates are either unspecified or unknown. All of the earlier recordings were first issued as shellac 78 rpm records, many later reissued as vinyl LPs, and subsequently in CD format. First issue of the late recordings was directly to LP format.

[edit] Recordings for HMV/Victor through 1938 include

1st Violin: Josef Roisman; 2nd Violin: Alexander Schneider; Viola: István Ipolyi or Boris Kroyt; Cello: Mischa Schneider

• Bartok: Quartet no 2 in A minor, op 17 (*[Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y4-34643).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 2 in G major, op 18 no 2 (*rec 1938 [*Va=BK]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-35240).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 3 in D major, op 18 no 3 (V 8860-2) (*rec 1935 [*Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-35240).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 7 in F major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 1 (HMV D 1660-3) [*Va=BK]; CD reissue *Sony SBK-47665, *Portrait SBK-46545).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 8 in E minor, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 2 (rec 1935 [Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y4-34643, CD reissue *Sony SBK-47665, *Portrait SBK-46545, Biddulph 80222).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 13 in B flat major, op 130 (V 8576-80/DB 2239-43) (rec 1933-4 [Va=II]; CD reissue Biddulph 80222).
• Beethoven: Grosse Fuge in B flat major, op 133 (DB 1559-60).
• Borodin: Quartet no 2 in D major (Notturno only) (D 1441).
• Brahms: Quartet no 2 in A minor, op 51 no 2 (V 8798-801/DB 2507-10) (rec 1935 [Va=II]; CD reissue Biddulph LAB-120/1).
• Brahms: Quartet no 3 in B flat major op 67 (V 11545-8/DB 1859-62) (rec 1933 [Va=II]; CD reissue *Portrait MPK-45553, Biddulph LAB-120/1).
• Brahms: String Quintet no 1 in F major, op 88, with Alfred Hobday (rec 1936 [Va=II?BK?]; CD reissue Biddulph LAB-120/1).
• Brahms: String Quintet no 2 in G major, op 111, with Hans Mahlke (V 11553-5/DB 1866-8) (rec 1933 [Va=II]; CD reissue Biddulph LAB-120/1).
• Brahms: String Sextet in G major, op 36, with Alfred Hobday & Anthony Pini (rec 1936 [Va=II?BK?]; CD reissue Biddulph LAB-120/1).
• Haydn: Quartet in G major, op 76 no 1 (D 1075-7).
• Mendelssohn: Quartet no 1 in E flat major, op 12 (V 14000-2) ([*Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y4-34643).
• Mozart: Quartet no 17 in B flat major, K 458 'Hunting' (D 1387-9).
• Mozart: Quartet no 19 in C major, K 465 'Dissonance' (V 8836-8/DB 1863-5) (rec 1932 [Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-33324, *Odyssey Y3-35240, CD reissue EMI CDH-63697).
• Mozart: Quartet no 20 in D major, K 499 'Hoffmeister' (V 11700-2/DB 2228-30) (rec 1934 [Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y4-34643, CD reissue EMI CDH-63697).
• Mozart: Quartet no 23 in F major, K 590 (DB 2514-6) (*rec 1935 [*Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-35240).
• Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K 581 with Benny Goodman (rec 1938 [Va=BK]; CD reissue EMI CDH-63697; Naxos Hist 8.111238).
• Schubert: Quartettsatz in C minor, D 703 (2 versions: (a) V 9273/D1421, (b) DB 2221) ([*Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y4-34643: version unspecified).
• Schubert: Quartet in A minor, op 29 no 1, D 804 (V 11716-9/DB 2224-7).
• Schubert: Quartet in D minor, D 810 'Death and the Maiden' (V 9241-5/D 1422-6).
• Sibelius: Quartet in D minor, op 56 'Voces Intimae' (Sibelius Society Volume 3).
• Tchaikovsky: Quartet no 2 in F major, op 22 (V 11330-4/D 1655-9).
• Wolf: Italian Serenade in G major (1887) ([*Va=II]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y4-34643).

[edit] Recordings for Columbia from 1940 include

1st Violin: Josef Roisman; 2nd Violin: Alexander Schneider, Edgar Ortenberg, or Jac Gorodetzky; Viola: Boris Kroyt;
Cello: Mischa Schneider

• Beethoven: Quartet no 1 in F major, op 18 no 1 (rec 1940 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62870).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 1 in F major, op 18 no 1 (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MP2K-52531).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 1 in F major, op 18 no 1 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M3S-606).
• [Beethoven: Quartet no 2 in G major, op 18 no 2 (rec 1938: see HMV/Victor, above)].
• Beethoven: Quartet no 2 in G major, op 18 no 2 (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MP2K-52531).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 2 in G major, op 18 no 2 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M3S-606).
• [Beethoven: Quartet no 3 in D major, op 18 no 3 (rec 1935: see HMV/Victor, above)].
• Beethoven: Quartet no 3 in D major, op 18 no 3 (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MP2K-52531).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 3 in D major, op 18 no 3 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M3S-606).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 4 in C minor, op 18 no 4 (rec 1941 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62870).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 4 in C minor, op 18 no 4 (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MP2K-52531).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 4 in C minor, op 18 no 4 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M3S-606).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 5 in A major, op 18 no 5 (Minuet only) (rec 1941 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62873).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 5 in A major, op 18 no 5 (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MP2K-52531).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 5 in A major, op 18 no 5 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M3S-606).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 6 in B flat major, op 18 no 6 (rec 1945 [2V=EO]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62870).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 6 in B flat major, op 18 no 6 (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MP2K-52531).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 6 in B flat major, op 18 no 6 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M3S-606).
• [Beethoven: Quartet no 7 in F major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 1 (rec 1930s: see HMV/Victor, above)].
• Beethoven: Quartet no 7 in F major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 1 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-3316, CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 7 in F major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 1 (rec 1959 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SBK-46545).
• [Beethoven: Quartet no 8 in E minor, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 2 (rec 1935: see HMV/Victor, above)].
• Beethoven: Quartet no 8 in E minor, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 2 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-3316, CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 8 in E minor, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 2 (rec 1959 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SBK-46545).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 9 in C major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 3 (rec 1941 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62870, *Sony SBK-47665).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 9 in C major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 3 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-3316, CD reissue *Sony MPK-45551, United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 9 in C major, op 59 'Rasumovsky' no 3 (rec 1960 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SBK-47665).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 10 in E flat major, op 74 'Harp' (*rec betw 1940-44 [*2V=AS]; CD reissue *Sony SBK-47665).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 10 in E flat major, op 74 'Harp' (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-3316, *Odyssey Y3-35240, CD reissue *Sony MPK-45551, United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 10 in E flat major, op 74 'Harp' (rec 1960 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SBK-47665, CBS MPK-45551).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 11 in F minor, op 95 'Serioso' (rec 1941 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62870).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 11 in F minor, op 95 'Serioso' (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; *LP reissue Odyssey Y3-3316, CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 11 in F minor, op 95 'Serioso' (rec 1960 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SBK-46545, CBS MPK-45551).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 12 in E flat major, op 127 (rec 1942 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62873).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 12 in E flat major, op 127 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 12 in E flat major, op 127 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M5S-677).
• [Beethoven: Quartet no 13 in B flat major, op 130 (rec 1933-34: see HMV/Victor, above)].
• Beethoven: Quartet no 13 in B flat major, op 130 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 13 in B flat major, op 130 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M5S-677).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 14 in C sharp minor, op 131 (rec 1940 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62873).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 14 in C sharp minor, op 131 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 14 in C sharp minor, op 131 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M5S-677).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 15 in A minor, op 132 (rec 1942 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62873).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 15 in A minor, op 132 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 15 in A minor, op 132 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M5S-677).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 16 in F major, op 135 (rec 1940 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62873).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 16 in F major, op 135 (rec 1951 or '52 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170019).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 16 in F major, op 135 (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col M5S-677).
• Beethoven: Grosse Fuge in B flat major, op 133 (rec 1961 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SBK-47665, CBS MPK-45551).
• Beethoven: String Quintet in C major, op 29, with Milton Katims (rec 1945 [2V=EO]; CD reissue Sony MH2K-62870).
• Beethoven: Quintet in E flat major for piano and winds, op 16 (version for piano and string trio), with Mieczysław Horszowski (LP Col MS-6473).
• Brahms: Quartet no 1 in C minor, op 51 no 1 (rec 1963 [2V=AS]; CD reissue CBS MPK-45686).
• Brahms: Quartet no 2 in A minor, op 51 no 2 (LP Col M2S-734).
• Brahms: Quartet no 3 in B flat major, op 67 (rec 1963 [2V=AS]; CD reissue CBS MPK-45553).
• Brahms: Piano Quartet no 2 in A major, op 26, with Clifford Curzon (rec 1952 [2V=JG]; LP Col ML-4630, CD reissue Naxos Hist 8.110306).
• Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, op 34, with Clifford Curzon (rec 1950 [2V=JG]; LP Col ML-4336, CD reissue Naxos Hist 8.110307).
• Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, op 34, with Rudolf Serkin (rec 1963 [2V=AS]; CD reissue CBS MPK-45686).
• Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op 115, with David Oppenheim (rec 1959 [2V=AS]; CD reissue CBS MPK-45553).
• Debussy: Quartet in G minor, op 10 (CD reissue CBS MPK-44843).
• Dvořák: Quartet no 12 in F major, op 96 'American' (rec 1965 [2V=AS]; LP Col M-32792).
• Dvořák: String Quintet no 3 in E flat major, op 97, with Walter Trampler (LP Col M-32792).
• Dvořák: Piano Quintet in A major, op 81, with Clifford Curzon (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; LP Col ML-4825, CD reissue Naxos Hist 8.110307).
• Haydn: Quartet in G major, op 76 no 1 (rec 1954 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UAR-003).
• Haydn: Quartet in D minor, op 76 no 2 'Quinten' (rec 1954 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UAR-003).
• Haydn: Quartet in C major, op 76 no 3 'Emperor' (rec 1954 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UAR-003).
• Haydn: Quartet in B flat major, op 76 no 4 'Sunrise' (rec 1954 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UAR-003).
• Haydn: Quartet in D major, op 76 no 5 (rec 1954 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UAR-003).
• Haydn: Quartet in E flat major, op 76 no 6 (rec 1954 [2V=JG]; CD reissue United Archives UAR-003).
• Mozart: Quartet no 14 in G major, K 387 (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM2K-47219).
• Mozart: Quartet no 15 in D minor, K 421 (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM2K-47219).
• Mozart: Quartet no 16 in E flat major, K 428 (rec 1950 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM2K-47219).
• Mozart: Quartet no 17 in B flat major, K 458 'Hunting' (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM2K-47219).
• Mozart: Quartet no 18 in A major, K 464 (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM2K-47219).
• Mozart: Quartet no 19 in C major, K 465 'Dissonant' (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM2K-47219).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 1 in B flat major, K 174, with Walter Trampler (rec 1956 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 2 in C minor, K 406, with Milton Katims (rec 1946 [2V=EO]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 2 in C minor, K 406, with Walter Trampler (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col D3S-747).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 3 in C major, K 515, with Milton Katims (rec 1945 [2V=EO]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 3 in C major, K 515, with Walter Trampler (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col D3S-747).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 4 in G minor, K 516, with Milton Katims (rec 1941 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 4 in G minor, K 516, with Walter Trampler (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col D3S-747).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 5 in D major, K 593, with Milton Katims (rec 1946 [2V=EO]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 5 in D major, K 593, with Walter Trampler (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col D3S-747).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 6 in E flat major, K 614, with Milton Katims (rec 1949 [2V=JG]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: String Quintet no 6 in E flat major, K 614, with Walter Trampler (stereo [2V=AS]; LP Col D3S-747).
• Mozart: Piano Quartet in G minor, K 478, with George Szell (rec 1946 [2V=EO]; CD reissue CBS MPK-47685, Naxos Hist 8.111238).
• Mozart: Piano Quartet in G minor, K 478, with Mieczysław Horszowski (rec 1963 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: Piano Quartet in E flat major, K 493, with George Szell (rec 1946 [2V=EO]; CD reissue CBS MPK-47685, Naxos Hist 8.111238).
• Mozart: Piano Quartet in E flat major, K 493, with Mieczysław Horszowski (rec 1963 [2V=AS]; LP Col MS-6683).
• Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K 581 'Stadler', with David Oppenheim (rec 1959 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Mozart: Serenade in G major, K 525 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' [string quintet version, with Julius Levine, double bass] (rec 1959 [2V=AS]; CD reissue Sony SM3K-46527).
• Ravel: Quartet in F major (1902–03) (CD reissue CBS MPK-44843).
• Schubert: Quartet in A minor, D 804 'Rosamunde' (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MPK-45696).
• Schubert: Quartet in D minor, D 810 'Death and the Maiden' (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; CD reissue CBS MPK-45696).
• Schubert: Quartet in G Major, D 887 (rec 1953 [2V=JG]; LP reissue Odyssey Y3-33320).
• Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D 956, with Benar Heifetz, cello (CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170262).
• Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major, D 667 'The Trout', with Mieczysław Horszowski and Julius Levine (CD reissue Sony SBK-46343).
• Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major, D 667 'The Trout', with Mieczysław Horszowski and Georges E. Moleux (CD reissue United Archives UPC 3760138170262).
• Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major, op 44, with Clifford Curzon (rec 1951 [2V=JG]; LP Col ML-4426, CD reissue Naxos Hist 8.110306).
• Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major, op 44, with Rudolf Serkin (rec 1963 [2V=AS]; CD reissue CBS MYK-37256).

Miscellaneous live recordings include[link]

1st Violin: Josef Roisman; 2nd Violin: Alexander Schneider or Edgar Ortenberg; Viola: Boris Kroyt; Cello: Mischa Schneider

• Beethoven: Quartet no 12 in E flat major, op 127 (rec live March 15, 1941 [2V=AS] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Bridge 9072 A/C).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 13 in B flat major, op 130 (rec live April 7, 1960 [2V=AS] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Bridge 9072 A/C).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 14 in C sharp minor, op 131 (rec live May 7, 1943 [2V=AS] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Bridge 9072 A/C).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 15 in A minor, op 132 (rec live December 20, 1945 [2V=EO] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Bridge 9072 A/C).
• Beethoven: Quartet no 16 in F major, op 135 (rec live March 16, 1943 [2V=AS] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Bridge 9072 A/C).
• Beethoven: Grosse Fuge in B flat major, op 133 (rec live April 7, 1960 [2V=AS] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Bridge 9072 A/C).
• Beethoven: Piano Trio no 9 in G major, op 121a 'Kakadu Variations', with George Szell (rec live May 16, 1946 [2V=EO] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Intaglio INCD 7191).
• Dvořák: Piano Quintet in A major, op 81, with Artur Balsam (rec live 1959 [2V=AS] at New York; CD reissue Documents LV 931/32).
• Mozart: Quartet no 16 in E flat major, K 428 (rec live 1959 [2V=AS] at New York; CD reissue Documents LV 931/32).
• Schubert: Quartet in D minor, D 810 'Death and the Maiden' (rec live 1959 [2V=AS] at New York; CD reissue Documents LV 931/32).
• Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major, D 667 'The Trout', with George Szell (rec live May 16, 1946 [2V=EO] at Library of Congress; CD reissue Intaglio INCD 7191).

Sources[link]

• Brandt, Nat (1993). Con Brio: Four Russians Called the Budapest String Quartet. Oxford University Press, USA. ISBN 0-19-508107-2. 
• R.D. Darrell, The Gramophone Shop Encyclopedia of Recorded Music (New York 1936).
• E. Sackville-West and D. Shawe-Taylor, The Record Year 2 (Collins, London 1953).

• Photograph in R. Stowell (Ed), Cambridge Companion to the String Quartet (2003).

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao} Brandt (1993)
2. ^ Bernard Holland, "MISCHA SCHNEIDER DIES AT 81; CELLIST FOR BUDAPEST QUARTET", New York Times, October 5, 1985
3. ^ The Sony Classical discography is presented as Appendix 2 in Brandt, Nat (1993). Con Brio: Four Russians Called the Budapest String Quartet. Oxford University Press, USA.

External links[link]

• NYT Article on Sony reissue of 1940s recordings, November 23, 1997
• TIME Magazine article January 10, 1969
• Recordings and discography sequenced by composer (Youngrok Lee's Classical Music page)

Budapest
—  City  —
From top, left to right: view of the city with the Danube River, lion guarding the Chain Bridge, Heroes' Square, the Parliament Building, Fisherman's Bastion, St. Stephen's Basilica, and a panorama from Gellért Hill with Buda Castle on the left.
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Heart of Europe, Pearl of Danube, Capital of Freedom, Capital of Spas and Thermal Baths, Capital of Festivals
Location of Budapest in Hungary
Coordinates: 47°28′19″N 19°03′01″E / 47.47194°N 19.05028°E / 47.47194; 19.05028Coordinates: 47°28′19″N 19°03′01″E / 47.47194°N 19.05028°E / 47.47194; 19.05028
Country	Hungary
Region	Central Hungary
Subregion	Budapesti
Unification of Buda, Pest and Óbuda	17 November 1873
Boroughs	23 kerület Várkerület II. kerület Óbuda-Békásmegyer Újpest Belváros-Lipótváros Terézváros Erzsébetváros Józsefváros Ferencváros Kőbánya Újbuda Hegyvidék XIII. kerület Zugló XV. kerület XVI. kerület Rákosmente Pestszentlőrinc-Pestszentimre Kispest Pesterzsébet Csepel Budafok-Tétény Soroksár
Government
• Mayor	István Tarlós (Fidesz-KDNP)
Area
• City	525.16 km2 (202.77 sq mi)
• Urban	2,538 km2 (980 sq mi)
• Metro	7,626 km2 (2,944 sq mi)
Highest elevation	527 m (1,729 ft)
Lowest elevation	96 m (315 ft)
Population (2011)
• City	1,737,000
• Density	3,300/km2 (8,600/sq mi)
• Urban	2,551,247
• Urban density	1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
• Metro	3,284,110
• Metro density	430/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Demonym	budapesti
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code(s)	1011–1239
Area code	1
ISO 3166 code	HU-BU
Website	budapest.hu touristinfo: [4]

Budapest ( /ˈbuːdəpɛst/, /ˈbuːdəpɛʃt/ or /ˈbʊdəpɛst/; Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈbudɒpɛʃt] ( listen); names in other languages) is the capital and the largest city of Hungary,^[1] the largest in East-Central Europe and the seventh largest in the European Union. It is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre,^[2] sometimes described as the primate city of Hungary.^[3] According to 2011 Census, Budapest had 1.74 million inhabitants,^[4] down from its 1989 peak of 2.1 million^[5] due to suburbanization.^[6] The Budapest Commuter Area is home to 3.3 million people.^[7][8] The city covers an area of 525 square kilometres (202.7 sq mi)^[9] within the city limits. Budapest became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with a unification on 17 November 1873 of west-bank Buda and Óbuda with east-bank Pest.^[9][10]

The history of Budapest began with Aquincum, originally a Celtic settlement^[11][12] that became the Roman capital of Lower Pannonia.^[11] Hungarians arrived in the territory^[13] in the 9th century. Their first settlement was pillaged by the Mongols in 1241-42.^[14] The re-established town became one of the centres of Renaissance humanist culture^[15] in the 15th century.^[16] Following the Battle of Mohács and nearly 150 years of Ottoman rule,^[17] development of the region entered a new age of prosperity in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Budapest became a global city after the 1873 unification.^[18] It also became the second capital of Austria-Hungary, a great power that dissolved in 1918. After the Treaty of Trianon in 1920, when Hungary lost 72% of its former territory, culturally and economically the country became wholly Budapest-dominated. The capital dominates the country both by the size of its population—which dwarfs those of Hungary's other cities^[19] Budapest was the focal point of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, the Hungarian Soviet Republic of 1919, Operation Panzerfaust in 1944, the Battle of Budapest of 1945, and the Revolution of 1956.

Cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe,^[1][20][21] its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world.^[20][22] Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs,^[23] the world's largest thermal water cave system,^[24] second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building. The city attracts about 2.7 million tourists a year, making it the 37th most popular city in the world according to Euromonitor.^[25]

Considered a financial hub in Central Europe,^[26] the city ranked 3rd (out of 65 cities) on Mastercard's Emerging Markets Index,^[27] and ranked as the most livable Central/Eastern European city on EIU's quality of life index.^[28][29] It is also ranked as "Europe's 7th most idyllic place to live" by Forbes,^[30] and as the 9th most beautiful city in the world by UCityGuides.^[31] It is the highest ranked Central/Eastern European city on Innovation Cities' Top 100 index.^[32][33]

Budapest is home to the headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT),^[34] and the first foreign office of the China Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA).^[35]

The view[link]

Panorama at night photographed from Gellért Hill, showing from left to right the Matthias Church, Buda Castle, Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Danube Promenade and the Parliament

Etymology[link]

The name "Budapest" is the composition of the city names "Buda" and "Pest", since they were united (together with Óbuda) to become a single city in 1873. One of the first occurrences of the combined name "Buda-Pest" was in 1831 in the book "Világ" ("World" / "Light"), written by Count István Széchenyi.^[36]

The origins of the words "Buda" and "Pest" are obscure. According to chronicles from the Middle Ages, the name "Buda" comes from the name of its founder, Bleda (Buda), the brother of the Hunnic ruler Attila. The theory that "Buda" was named after a person is also supported by modern scholars.^[37] An alternative explanation suggests that "Buda" derives from the Slavic word "вода, voda" ("water"), a translation of the Latin name "Aquincum", which was the main Roman settlement in the region.^[38]

There are also several theories about the origin of the name "Pest". One of the theories^[39] claims that the word "Pest" comes from the Roman times, since there was a fortress "Contra-Aquincum" in this region which was referred to as "Pession" ("Πέσσιον", iii.7.§2) by Ptolemaios.^[40] According to another theory, "Pest" originates from the Slavic word for cave "пещера, peshtera" or from the word for oven "пещ, pesht", in reference to a cave where fires burned or to a local limekiln.^[41] In the old-Hungarian language there was a similar word meaning oven/cave and the original old-German name of this region was also "Ofen". Later, the German "Ofen" referred to the Buda side.

History[link]

Buda Castle during the Middle Ages.

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest was built by Celts^[11] before 1 AD. It was later occupied by the Romans. The Roman settlement - Aquincum - became the main city of Lower Pannonia^[11] in 106 AD.^[11] The Romans constructed roads, amphitheaters, baths and houses with heated floors in this fortified military camp.^[42]

The peace treaty of 829 added Pannonia to Bulgaria due to the victory of Bulgarian army of Omurtag over the Holy Roman Empire of Louis the Pious. Budapest arose out of two Bulgarian military frontiers, fortresses Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks of Danube.^[43] Hungarians led by Árpád settled in the territory at the end of the 9th century,^[13][44] and a century later officially founded the Kingdom of Hungary.^[13] Research places the probable residence of the Árpáds as an early place of central power near what became Budapest.^[45] The Tatar invasion in the 13th century quickly proved that defence is difficult on a plain.^[9][13] King Béla IV of Hungary therefore ordered the construction of reinforced stone walls around the towns^[13] and set his own royal palace^[14] on the top of the protecting hills of Buda. In 1361^[14] it became the capital of Hungary.^[9]

The cultural role of Buda was particularly significant during the reign of Matthias Corvinus of Hungary.^[9] The Italian Renaissance had a great influence on the city.^[9] His library, the Bibliotheca Corviniana,^[9] was Europe's greatest collection of historical chronicles and philosophic and scientific works in the 15th century, and second only in size to the Vatican Library.^[9] After the foundation of the first Hungarian university in Pécs in 1367,^[46] the second one was established in Óbuda in 1395.^[46] The first Hungarian book was printed in Buda in 1473.^[47] Buda had about 5,000 inhabitants around 1500.^[48]

The Ottomans pillaged Buda in 1526, besieged it in 1529, and finally occupied it in 1541. The Turkish occupation lasted for more than 140 years.^[9] The Turks constructed many fine bathing facilities within the city.^[13] Under Ottoman rule many Christians became Muslim. By 1547 the number of Christians was down to about a thousand, and by 1647 it had fallen to only about seventy.^[48] The unoccupied western part of the country became part of the Habsburg Empire as Royal Hungary.

In 1686, two years after the unsuccessful siege of Buda, a renewed campaign was started to enter the Hungarian capital. This time, the Holy League's army was twice as large, containing over 74,000 men, including German, Croat, Dutch, Hungarian, English, Spanish, Czech, Italian, French, Burgundian, Danish and Swedish soldiers, along with other Europeans as volunteers, artilleryman, and officers, the Christian forces reconquered Buda, and in the next few years, all of the former Hungarian lands, except areas near Timişoara (Temesvár), were taken from the Turks. In the 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz these territorial changes were officially recognized, and in 1718 the entire Kingdom of Hungary was removed from Ottoman rule.

The city was destroyed during the battle.^[9] Hungary was then incorporated into the Habsburg Empire.^[9]

The 19th century was dominated by the Hungarian struggle for independence^[9] and modernization. The national insurrection against the Habsburgs began in the Hungarian capital in 1848 and was defeated a little more than a year later.

1867 was the year of Reconciliation that brought about the birth of Austria-Hungary.

Cutaway Drawing of Millennium Underground in Budapest (1894–1896) which was the second underground in the world.

Hungarian Royal Palace in 1930.

During the Hungarian Republic of Councils in 1919, the Heroes' Square was completely covered by red textile and a statue of Marx was erected.

This made Budapest the twin capital of a dual monarchy. It was this compromise which opened the second great phase of development in the history of Budapest, lasting until World War I. In 1873 Buda and Pest were officially merged with the third part, Óbuda (Ancient Buda), thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest. The dynamic Pest grew into the country's administrative, political, economic, trade and cultural hub. Ethnic Hungarians overtook Germans in the second half of the 19th century due to mass migration from the overpopulated rural Transdanubia and Great Hungarian Plain. Between 1851 and 1910 proportion of Hungarians increased from 35.6% to 85.9%, Hungarian became the dominant language, German was crowded out. Proportion of Jews peaked in 1900 with 23.6%.^[49][50][51] Due to the prosperity and the large Jewish community of the city at the turn of the century, Budapest was often called the "Jewish Mecca"^[52]

In 1918 Austria-Hungary lost the war and collapsed; Hungary declared itself an independent republic. In 1920 the Treaty of Trianon finalized the country's partition, as a result, Hungary lost over two-thirds of its territory, about two-thirds of its inhabitants under the treaty including 3.3 million out of 10 million ethnic Hungarians.^[53][54]

In 1944, towards the end of World War II, Budapest was partly destroyed by British and American air raids. From 24 December 1944 to 13 February 1945, the city was besieged during the Battle of Budapest. Budapest suffered major damage caused by the attacking Soviet and Romanian troops and the defending German and Hungarian troops. All bridges were destroyed by the Germans. More than 38,000 civilians lost their lives during the conflict.

Hungarian Jewish WWII Memorial

Between 20% and 40% of Greater Budapest's 250,000 Jewish inhabitants died through Nazi and Arrow Cross Party genocide during 1944 and early 1945.^[55] The Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg managed to save the lives of tens of thousands of Jews in Budapest by giving them Swedish passports and taking them under his consular protection.^[56]

In 1949, Hungary was declared a communist People's Republic. The new Communist government considered the buildings like the Buda Castle symbols of the former regime, and during the 1950s the palace was gutted and all the interiors were destroyed.

In 1956, peaceful demonstrations in Budapest led to the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution. The Leadership collapsed after mass demonstrations began on 23 October, but Soviet tanks entered Budapest to crush the revolt. Fighting continued until early November, leaving more than 3000 dead.

From the 1960s to the late 1980s Hungary was often satirically referred to as "the happiest barrack" within the Eastern bloc, and much of the wartime damage to the city was finally repaired. Work on Erzsébet Bridge, the last to be rebuilt, was finished in 1964. In the early 1970s, Budapest Metro's East-West M2 line was first opened, followed by the M3 line in 1982. In 1987, Buda Castle and the banks of the Danube were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Andrassy Avenue (including the Millennium Underground Railway, Hősök tere and Városliget) was added to the UNESCO list in 2002. In the 1980s the city's population reached 2.1 million. In recent times a significant decrease in population occurred mainly due to a massive movement to the neighbouring agglomeration in Pest county. In the last decades of the 20th century the political changes of 1989-90 concealed changes in civil society and along the streets of Budapest. The monuments of the dictatorship were taken down from public places, into Memento Park. In the first 20 years of the new democracy the development of the city was managed by Gábor Demszky.

Timeline of the history of Budapest[link]

Aquincum Museum (Aquincum was the capital of Pannonia.)

The tomb of the Turkish dervish Gül Baba in Budapest

The Recapture of Buda Castle (1686)

Buda and Pest (c. 1850)

Budapest view from observatory (c. 1840), Drawing by W.H. Bartlett

Andrássy Avenue (1875)

Buda Castle

Parliament Building

Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Gresham Palace

Gerbeaud Confectionery

Geography[link]

Budapest as seen from SPOT satellite.

The 525 km² area of Budapest lies in central Hungary surrounded by settlements of the agglomeration in Pest county. The capital extends 25 and 29 kilometers in the north-south, east-west direction respectively. The Danube enters the city from the north; later it encircles two islands, Óbuda Island and Margaret Island.^[9] The third island Csepel Island is the largest of the Budapest Danube islands, however only its northernmost tip is within city limits. The river that separates the two parts of the city is only 230 m (755 ft) wide at its narrowest point in Budapest. Pest lies on the flat terrain of the Great Plain while Buda is rather hilly.^[9] Pest's terrain rises with a slight eastward gradient, so the easternmost parts of the city lie at the same altitude as Buda's smallest hills, notably Gellért Hill and Castle Hill. The Buda hills consist mainly of limestone and dolomite, the water created speleothems, the most famous ones being the Pálvölgyi cave and the Szemlőhegyi cave. The hills were formed in the Triassic Era. The highest point of the hills and of Budapest is János hill, at 527 metres (1,729 ft) above sea level. The lowest point is the line of the Danube which is 96 metres (315 ft) above sea level. The forests of Buda hills are environmentally protected.

Climate[link]

The city has a temperate, transitional climate - somewhere between the mild, snowy weather of Transdanubia, the variable continental climate of the flat and open Great Plain to the east and the almost sub-Mediterranean weather of the south.^[62]

Sports[link]

City Park (Városliget) and Margit Island are perfect places to find some green area in the city. In the City Park in winter you can enjoy ice skating on one of the largest artificial ice surfaces in the world. Margaret Island offers a wide range of sports from running and cycling to tennis or swimming in the Alfréd Hajós Swimming Center where Budapest proudly hosted the LEN European Aquatics Championships in 2006 and 2010. Budapest was the host for the ITU Triathlon World Championships 2010, too. The 2011 IIHF World Championship (Division I, Group A) and Athletics - 2012 European Cross Country Championships will be held there.

The city is the proud home for many Olympic, World, and Europen Championship winners and medalists. The city's largest football stadium is named after the world famous Ferenc Puskás; top class player of Real Madrid and the Hungarian National Team, who was recognized as the top scorer of the 20th century and who the FIFA's Puskás Award^[64] (Ballon d'Or) was named after. (read more about the award {^[64]|here})

The city is also home to Hungarian bandy. The Bandy World Championship for women 2007^[65] and the Bandy World Championship 2004 /B-group/ were held here.^[66]

Population[link]

^[51]

Ethnic groups[link]

^[68]

A KSH report showed that the proportion of Roma in Budapest increased from 2% in 1990 to 4.6% in 2009 due to moving of middle class and upper middle class ethnic Hungarians to the suburbs.^[6][69]

Whilst only 1.7% of the population of Hungary in 2009 were foreigners,^[69] 43% of them lived in Budapest,^[69] making them 4.4% of the city's population.^[69] Nearly two-thirds of foreigners living in Hungary were under 40. The primary motivation for this age group living in Hungary was employment.^[69]

Religions[link]

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Districts[link]

Panorama of Budapest

Originally Budapest had 10 districts after coming into existence upon the unification of the three cities in 1873. On 1 January 1950 Budapest was united with several neighboring towns and the number of its districts was raised to 22 (Greater Budapest). At that time there were changes both in the order of districts and in their sizes. Now there are 23 districts, 6 in Buda, 16 in Pest and 1 on Csepel Island between them. Each district can be associated with one or more city parts named after former towns within Budapest. The city centre itself in a broader sense comprises the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 13th districts on the Pest side, and the 1st, 2nd, 11th and 12th on the Buda side of the city.^[71]

Economy[link]

ING headquarters in Budapest

Richter investigation and development building

Budapest became a global city due to industrialization. in 1910, 45.2% of the total population were factory workers. The Hungarian capital was one of the largest industrial cities in Europe with 600,000 factory workers in the 1960s. Between 1920 and the 1970s more than half of Hungary's total industrial output was made in Budapest. Metalworking (FÉG), textile industry and automobile industry (Ikarus) were the main sectors before the structural changes.^[72]

Now nearly all branches of industry can be found in Budapest. Main products are communication engineering and computer appliances, electric machines, incandescent lamps (General Electric). Pharmaceutical industry is also important, well-known Egis, Gedeon Richter Ltd. and Chinoin companies are Hungarian, Teva also has a division here.

Industry is rather in the suburbs, the centre is place for the main national and international service and financial companies like Hungarian Telekom, General Electric, Vodafone, Telenor, Erste Bank, CIB Bank, K&H Bank&Insurance, UniCredit, Budapest Bank, Generali Providencia Insurance, ING, Aegon Insurance, Allianz. Regional base of Volvo Co., Saab, Ford, GE, IBM are in Budapest. MOL Hungarian Oil and Gas Company which with its Subsidiaries, is a leading integrated oil and gas company in Central & Eastern Europe, and OTP Bank which is the biggest Hungarian bank, with branches in 8 other countries as well, are based in the capital.

Budapest is the centre of services, financial counselling, money transactions, commercial and estate services. Trade and logistic services are well-developed. Tourism and catering also deserve mention, the capital being home to thousands of restaurants, bars, coffee houses and party places.

Main sights[link]

Hungarian Parliament Building

The neo-Gothic Parliament, containing amongst other things the Hungarian Crown Jewels. Saint Stephen's Basilica, where the Holy Right Hand of the founder of Hungary, King Saint Stephen is on display. The Hungarian cuisine and café culture: for example, Gerbeaud Café, and the Százéves, Biarritz, Fortuna, Alabárdos, Arany Szarvas, Kárpátia and the world famous Mátyás Pince Restaurants. There are Roman remains at the Aquincum Museum, and historic furniture at the Nagytétény Castle Museum, just 2 out of 223 museums in Budapest.

The Castle Hill, the River Danube embankments and the whole of Andrássy út have been officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Castle Hill and the Castle District; there are three churches here, six museums, and a host of interesting buildings, streets and squares. The former Royal Palace is one of the symbols of Hungary – and has been the scene of battles and wars ever since the 13th century. Nowadays it houses two impressive museums and the National Széchenyi Library. The nearby Sándor Palace contains the offices and official residence of the President of Hungary. The seven-hundred year-old Matthias Church is one of the jewels of Budapest. Next to it is an equestrian statue of the first king of Hungary, King Saint Stephen, and behind that is the Fisherman's Bastion, from where opens out a panoramic view of the whole city. Statues of the Turul, the mythical guardian bird of Hungary, can be found in both the Castle District and the Twelfth District.

The Holy Crown, a key symbol of Hungary

In Pest, arguably the most important sight is Andrássy út. As far as Kodály Körönd and Oktogon both sides are lined with large shops and flats built close together. Between there and Heroes’ Square the houses are detached and altogether grander. Under the whole runs continental Europe’s oldest Underground railway, most of whose stations retain their original appearance. Heroes’ Square is dominated by the Millenary Monument, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front. To the sides are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Kunsthalle Budapest, and behind City Park opens out, with Vajdahunyad Castle. One of the jewels of Andrássy út is the Hungarian State Opera House. Statue Park, a theme park with striking statues of the Communist era, is located just outside the main city and is accessible by public transport.

The city is home to the largest synagogue in Europe (Dohány Street Synagogue),^[73] and second largest working in the World .^[74] The synagogue is located in the Jewish district taking up several blocks in central Budapest bordered by Király utca, Wesselényi utca, Grand Boulevard (Budapest) and Bajcsy Zsilinszky road. The city is also proud at the largest medicinal bath in Europe (Széchenyi Medicinal Bath) and the third largest Parliament building in the world, once the largest in the world. The third largest church in Europe (Esztergom Basilica) and the second largest Baroque castle in the world (Gödöllő) are in the vicinity.

The world's largest panorama photograph was created in (and of) Budapest in 2010.^[75]

Islands[link]

Aerial panorama with the Margaret Island

Seven islands can be found on the Danube: Shipyard Island, Margaret Island, Csepel Island, Palotai-sziget (now a peninsula), Népsziget, Háros-sziget, and Molnár-sziget.

Notable islands include:

• Margaret Island is a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) long island and 0.965 square kilometres (238 acres) in area. The island mostly consists of a park and is a popular recreational area for tourists and locals alike. The island lies between bridges Margaret Bridge (south) and Árpád Bridge (north). Dance clubs, Swimming pools, an Aqua park, athletic and fitness centres, bicycle and running tracks can be found around the Island. During the day the island is occupied by people doing sports, or just resting. In the summer (generally on the weekends) mostly young people go to the island at night to party in its terraces, or to recreate with a bottle of alcohol on a bench or on the grass (this form of entertainment is sometimes referred to as bench-partying).
• Csepel Island (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈtʃɛpɛlsiɡɛt]) is the largest island of the River Danube in Hungary. It is 48 km (30 mi) long; its width is 6–8 km (3.75–5 mi) and its area comprises 257 km² (99 sq mi), whereas only the northern tip is inside the city limits.
• Hajógyári-sziget ([ˈhɒjoːɟaːri siɡɛt], or Óbudai-sziget) is a man built island, located in the third district. This island hosts many activities such as: wake-boarding, jet-skiing during the day, and dance clubs during the night. This is the island where the famous Sziget Festival takes place, hosting hundreds of performances per year and now around 400,000 visitors in its last edition. Many building projects are taking place to make this island into one of the biggest entertainment centres of Europe, the plan is to build Apartment buildings, hotels, casinos and a marina.
• Luppa-sziget is the smallest island of Budapest, located in the north region.
• Rock of Ínség can be found in the river Danube under the Gellért mountain, it can be seen just in a drought period when the river level is very low and this is a bad signal for a crop.

Spas[link]

Rudas Baths is a thermal and medicinal bath that was first built in 1550

One of the reasons the Romans first colonized the area immediately to the west of the River Danube and established their regional capital at Aquincum (now part of Óbuda, in northern Budapest) is so that they could utilize and enjoy the thermal springs. There are still ruins visible today of the enormous baths that were built during that period. The new baths that were constructed during the Turkish period (1541–1686) served both bathing and medicinal purposes, and some of these are still in use to this day. Budapest gained its reputation as a city of spas in the 1920s, following the first realization of the economic potential of the thermal waters in drawing in visitors. Indeed, in 1934 Budapest was officially ranked as a "City of Spas". Today, the baths are mostly frequented by the older generation, as, with the exception of the “Magic Bath” and "Cinetrip" water discos, young people tend to prefer the lidos which are open in the summer. Construction of the Király Baths started in 1565, and most of the present-day building dates from the Turkish period, including most notably the fine cupola-topped pool.

The Rudas Baths are centrally placed – in the narrow strip of land between Gellért Hill and the River Danube – and also an outstanding example of architecture dating from the Turkish period. The central feature is an octagonal pool over which light shines from a 10 m diameter cupola, supported by eight pillars.

Széchenyi Thermal Bath.

The Gellért Baths and Hotel were built in 1918, although there had once been Turkish baths on the site, and in the Middle Ages a hospital. In 1927 the Baths were extended to include the wave pool, and the effervescent bath was added in 1934. The well-preserved Art Nouveau interior includes colourful mosaics, marble columns, stained glass windows and statues.

The Lukács Baths are also in Buda and are also Turkish in origin, although they were only revived at the end of the 19th century. This was also when the spa and treatment centre were founded. There is still something of an atmosphere of fin-de-siècle about the place, and all around the inner courtyard there are marble tablets recalling the thanks of patrons who were cured there. Since the 1950s it has been regarded as a centre for intellectuals and artists.

The Széchenyi Baths are one of the largest bathing complexes in all Europe, and the only “old” medicinal baths to be found in the Pest side of the city. The indoor medicinal baths date from 1913 and the outdoor pools from 1927. There is an atmosphere of grandeur about the whole place with the bright, largest pools resembling aspects associated with Roman baths, the smaller bath tubs reminding one of the bathing culture of the Greeks, and the saunas and diving pools borrowed from traditions emanating in northern Europe. The three outdoor pools (one of which is a fun pool) are open all year, including winter. Indoors there are over ten separate pools, and a whole host of medical treatments is also available.

Transport[link]

Airport[link]

Ferenc Liszt International Airport

Map of the Budapest Metro

Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport, formerly called Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, which has 2 passenger terminals: Ferihegy 1, which tends to serve the many discount airlines now flying to and from Budapest, Ferihegy 2/A and Ferihegy 2/B. A third terminal is planned though not yet constructed. The airport is located to the east of the centre in the XVIII. district in Pestszentlőrinc. In March 2011, the Hungarian Government announced that the name of the Airport is to be changed from "Budapest Ferihegy International Airport" to "Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport".

Megyeri Bridge, M0 motorway

Budapest Castle Hill Funicular

Roads[link]

Budapest is the most important Hungarian road terminus; most of the major highways end near the city-limits. The road system in the city is designed in a similar manner to that of Paris, with several ring roads, and avenues radiating out from the center.

Ring road (beltway) M0 around Budapest is nearly completed, with only one section missing on the west side due to local disputes. Currently the beltway is around 80 kilometers in length, and once finished it will be near 100 kilometers of highway in length.

Public transport[link]

Budapest public transport is provided by BKV,^[76] the company operates buses, trolleybuses, trams, suburban railway lines, the metro, a boat service, a cogwheel railway, a funicular, and a chairlift, called Libegő.

Budapest's tram network is extensive, and reliable despite poor track infrastructure and an ageing fleet. Routes 4 and 6 combined form the busiest traditional city tram line in the world, with the world's longest passenger trams (54-metre (177 ft) long Siemens Combino) running at 60 to 90 second intervals at peak time and 3–4 minutes off-peak and usually packed with people.

Day services operate from 4:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. each day. Night traffic (a reduced overnight service) has a reputation for being excellent.

There are three metro lines and a fourth is currently under construction. The Yellow line, built in 1896, is one of the oldest subway lines in the world, following the London Underground built in 1863.

Railways[link]

Hungarian main-line railways are operated by MÁV. There are three main railway termini in Budapest, Keleti (eastbound), Nyugati (westbound), and Déli (southbound), operating both domestic and international rail services. Budapest is one of the main stops of the Orient Express on its Central and Eastern European route.^[77] There is also a suburban rail service in and around Budapest, operated under the name HÉV.

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  Budapest Western railway station (Hungarian: Budapest Nyugati pályaudvar)

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  Budapest East railway station (Hungarian: Budapest Keleti pályaudvar)