Date of appointment:
1 May 1982
Qualifications completed:
UTLM, LTCL, FTCL
Teaching responsibilities:
Flute & Flute Pedagogy
Performance interests:
Chamber/ensemble music, orchestral music, South African flute works, Impressionistic music, Minimalistic music, Light Jazz (Claude Bolling), Musique Romantica — 25 years, and Meloduo (flute and harp duo) — 14 years.
Mexican Fiesta with Musique Romantica
Research interests:
Performance practice in new works and any other flute related music.
Who are/were your professional mentors/inspiration?
János Fazakas; André Salm; Jake Jacobson; Peter Baird; Jean Blanjé; Amos Eisenberg; James Galway; William Bennett; Michel Debost; Aurèle Nicolet; Jean-Pierre Rampal; Hermann Klemeyer; Michael Botha (SA flute builder); and many other flutists.
Top 5 must-hear music:
1. Claude Debussy — Syrinx
2. Marin Marais — Les Folies d’ Espagne
3. John Tavener — Greek Interlude
4. Claude Bolling — La Princesse
5. René Eespere — Trivium
Which personal music experiences are most memorable to you?
Premiering Stefans Grové Kettingrye with SABC Orchestra and Hester Eigner van der Westhuizen Requiem, Gloria and Magnificat for soloists, choir and ensemble (all three recordings in NWU Music Library). Also premiering flute solo works by Jaco Meyer and Martin Watt.
Top 5 must-read books:
1. Chocolat by Joanne Harris (or any book by her)
2. Frost on the Window by Mary Stewart
3. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
4. The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
5. Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R Hofstadter
Favourite quote(s):
“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence” — Robert Fripp
Top 5 must-see movies:
1. Chocolat
2. Still Crazy
3. Across the Universe
4. Brother Sun, Sister Moon
5. Searching for Sugerman
Which television shows can you watch over and over again?
Against the Wind, Beauty and the Beast (1980s with Ron Perlman)
Favourite food:
Hungarian Chicken Noodle Stew
Favourite drink(s):
Cola Tonic, Pepsi Maxi or Coke Zero
How do you relax?
Read a good book; watch a movie; spend time with my grandchildren and family.
Family (spouse / children):
Wife — Alex
Son — Michael
Daughter — Bianca
Daughter-in-Law — Berdine
Grandchildren — Caide, Adrian and Clarissa
Also blessed with both parents still alive — János and Agnes.
Mr Fazakas with his son, grandchildren and parents.
Which places would you still like to visit?
Canada (my son is there); Orleans in Paris, France — there is a stunning flutebuilder, Parmenon Flutes there; and maybe my birth country, Hungary.
What is the ringtone on your cell phone?
No idea?
What is your favourite moment of the day/week/year at the Conservatory?
Concerts and when students/pupils of mine perform well in exams.
