Musical Instrument Rescuers
MUSICAL INSTRUMENT RESCUERS
DIGITAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PRESERVATION AND DRAMATIZED DOCUMENTARY
The sounds of historically significant musical instruments are quietly fading away
Historical musical instruments are more than just objects: they are imprints of sounds, eras, and human destinies. Let’s work together to breathe new life into these instruments.
Did you know that one of the world’s oldest, still-functioning organs is located in the Carpathian Basin and has survived the Ottoman era, the wars of independence, uprisings, and two world wars? Did you know that Franz Liszt’s concert grand piano is no longer playable? That Ferenc Erkel’s instrument is now nothing more than a dust collector in the corner of a museum? The deterioration of our cultural treasures is ongoing, but the Instrument Savers is an initiative dedicated to preserving and ensuring the survival of our heritage.
ABOUT ME
The Face Behind the Idea
István Cseh, composer
My name is associated with works such as the Székely Anthem and the symphonic arrangement of “Nélküled,” the scores for nearly thirty films, the opening ceremony of Puskás Stadium, and the ceremonial music for FINA and the World Athletics Championships. In my compositions, I regularly use special, custom-made instruments.
Photo: Franz Liszt’s piano
A PERSONAL STORY
Has a major figure in Hungarian cultural history fallen silent forever?
While working on a project, I had the opportunity to sit down at the piano of one of Hungary’s greatest composers. Unfortunately, I was deeply disappointed. The instrument was in a state of disrepair. It is shocking that such an iconic piece of Hungarian musical cultural history now exists merely as a dust collector in the corner of a museum.
THE FATE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
The Burden of Centuries
Old musical instruments have often had to endure decades, even centuries, of harsh conditions. As a result, they may have sustained significant damage and deterioration. Instrument makers and restorers go to great lengths to save these wonderful instruments, but there are cases where restoration is no longer possible. These instruments are lost forever in the storms of history.
THE SOLUTION
Musical Instrument Digitization
We have musical instruments of exceptional importance and national cultural significance that might otherwise face an uncertain future. Through musical instrument digitization, we can preserve them for future generations. The recorded material is used to create software instruments that hold their own in modern productions and can serve as inspiration for contemporary musicians—not only in the classical music world.
TECHNOLOGY
Sampling, archiving, software instruments
We create samples of their sounds using the most advanced technology available. During the recording process, we strive to capture the full sonic range of the instruments: not only the musical tones, but also the mechanical noises, the sounds of the components, and even the acoustic space—all of which contribute to the unique character of each instrument. We archive the raw recordings for future generations, and from the digitally enhanced and processed audio material, we create modern and usable digital instruments.
Instruments Waiting to Be Discovered
An organ from 1492, Ferenc Erkel’s harmonium, Ferenc Liszt’s desk (yes, that’s a musical instrument too), Zoltán Kodály’s piano, a century-old tarogato, a Schunda cimbalom—and who knows how many other forgotten instruments are still waiting to be discovered, cared for, and digitized.
SERIES CONCEPT
A dramatized documentary series in which musical instruments are given a new lease on life
All of this comes together in the dramatized documentary series *The Instrument Savers*, which showcases the process of locating, preserving, and digitizing historically significant musical instruments, as these instruments are brought back to life through modern technology. The software-based instruments created for the series are also used by well-known Hungarian performers in their new songs: this is how a 500-year-old instrument can be heard in a composition by Bagossy, or a cimbalom over a century old in a new song by Magdi Rúzsa. The goal is to breathe new life into the treasures of our cultural heritage through the music of today.
Photo: Azara Productions studio.
THE EXHIBITION
An interactive experience for everyone
We are also creating an interactive exhibition featuring the completed digital instruments, where anyone can try out how a 500-year-old organ or Ferenc Erkel’s harmonium sounds. History comes to life and becomes a new experience.
PARTNERSHIP
Preserving our heritage is a shared national cause.
I am well aware that in the current economic climate, every corporate decision carries significant responsibility. Yet I believe that the Instrument Savers project serves a cause that transcends everyday challenges. It is about preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
CALL FOR PARTNERS
We are seeking strategic partners
We are seeking strategic partners for this initiative with whom we can create a cultural workshop where we will digitally preserve irreplaceable historical musical instruments from destruction, breathe new life into the sounds of the past, and set an example for the responsible preservation of cultural heritage.
István Cseh • Príma Award-winning composer
Azara Productions
Web • www.azara-productions.com
Email • info@azara-productions.com
