"The main aim of the Eötvös Péter Contemporary Music Foundation is to provide an opportunity for young conductors and composers - whose studies were based on the valuable traditions of the past-, to achieve an understanding how to build a relationship with contemporary music, musicians, composers and the audience.

We have enough experience to know that new music and its special problems also sets new tasks and demands for the education of conductors. Technical teaching is not nearly enough: there must be a close study of different styles of composition, gestural-communicative ability, analytic hearing, knowledge of instruments, acoustics and the financial implications, historical perspective, ability to see into the future etc.

We have special contemporary music workshops for young conductors and composers working together, and conducting composers to conduct their own compositions. These workshops are aimed at conductors and composers who wish to present new instrumental works and follow through the rehearsals leading to its performance, gaining from the experience and guidance of the teaching team.

One of our goal to build a bridge between "West" and "East", to invite composers and conductors from European and non European countries for working together in a new Hungarian music center "Budapest Music Forum" in Hungary. We also prepare special courses in co-operation with important European festivals and ensembles.

We are very glad to hear that former participants of our International Eötvös institute have found places with excellent ensembles and orchestras and have had success with their programs. We do our best to help them in their work and to find new ways of promoting them."

Peter Eötvös