ABOUT
Huba Hollókői is a Hungarian conductor and violinist whose work bridges Central European and Nordic musical traditions. As Artistic Director of the Kecskemét Symphony Orchestra and an internationally active conductor, he is known for building performances through listening, clarity and trust.
“Mr. Huba Hollókői is an inborn musician. I know him as an excellent conductor, violinist and orchestra leader.”
— Jorma Panula
Photo: Niki Kelko
SHORT BIO
Beginning violin at the age of four, Hollókői developed his musical foundation as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player before turning increasingly towards conducting. This experience from within the orchestra continues to shape his approach: thorough preparation, clear communication and a deep respect for musicians.
Since becoming Artistic Director of the Kecskemét Symphony Orchestra in 2022, he has developed its artistic profile and increased its activity to 18–22 concerts per season, with new Baroque and chamber series, major symphonic projects, contemporary Hungarian premieres and the Young Soloists series with Kodály School. Audience numbers have more than doubled by 2024.
His international career includes positions with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, where he worked as Assistant Conductor and assistant to Semyon Bychkov. He regularly conducts orchestras across Europe and Mexico, with a repertoire spanning symphonic and operatic music.
Opera forms an important part of his work, with repertoire ranging from Mozart, Beethoven, Donizetti and Verdi to Puccini and contemporary opera. His musical interests also have a particular affinity with Mozart, Bartók and Nordic symphonism.
STUDIES & MENTORS
LISZT ACADEMY OF MUSIC
Budapest
Violin soloist and teacher with Vilmos Szabadi
SIBELIUS ACADEMY
Helsinki
Orchestral and opera conducting with Leif Segerstam & Jorma Panula
NATIONAL MASTER ORCHESTRAL CONDUCTING
Amsterdam / The Hague
Orchestral conducting with Jac van Steen, Kenneth Montgomery & Ed Spanjaard
OPERA & STAGE
Opera is an important part of Hollókői’s work, combining his experience as an orchestral musician with a strong understanding of singers, stage action and dramatic pacing. His experience with singers and stage productions has strengthened his ability to combine musical structure with dramatic pacing and close collaboration with performers.
His opera repertoire includes Mozart, Verdi, Puccini and Beethoven, as well as contemporary opera. He has conducted productions of Carmen, Rigoletto and Fidelio, several Mozart operas, and the Finnish premiere of César Cui’s children’s opera Puss in Boots. He made his stage-directing debut with Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.
His work in opera reflects the same principles that shape his orchestral conducting: careful preparation, clear communication and flexibility in responding to performers and the stage.
SELECTED GUEST CONDUCTING
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra
Residentie Orkest
Noord Nederlands Orkest
Dutch Ballet Orchestra
Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Joensuu City Orchestra
HUNGARY
MÁV Symphony Orchestra
Danubia Orchestra
Győr Philharmonic Orchestra
Szombathely Symphony Orchestra
Miskolc Symphony Orchestra
INTERNATIONAL
OSUG Symphony Orchestra, Mexico
Filarmonica Mihail Jora Bacău, Romania
Filarmonica Banatul Timișoara, Romania
POSITIONS & ENGAGEMENTS
JOENSUU CITY ORCHESTRA
Joensuu
Concertmaster — 2011-2012
DE DUTCH DON'T DANCE DIVISION
The Hague
Artistic Partner — 2014-2015
NETHERLANDS RADIO PHILHARMONIC
Hilversum
Assistant Conductor — 2015-2017
ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA
Amsterdam
Assistant to Semyon Bychkov — 2017
KECSKEMÉT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Kecskemét
Artistic Director — 2022 -
INTERNATIONAL GUEST CONDUCTING
Europe, Mexico
Symphonic & Opera
RECOGNITION
FIRST PRIZE
Città di Brescia – Giancarlo Facchinetti International Conducting Competition
FINALIST
53rd Besançon International Conducting Competition
SUPPORT
Anton Kersjes Fonds · Finnish Cultural Foundation
MASTERCLASSBUDAPEST
Mentoring the next generation
Founder and artistic director of MasterclassBudapest, an international conducting masterclass led by Maestro Jorma Panula. Working closely with Panula, Hollókői also teaches conducting and coaches young conductors through intensive work with a professional symphony orchestra. The masterclass brings together aspiring conductors from around the world, focusing on practical orchestral experience, musical communication, clear technique and the deeper understanding of the score.