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From Hungarian Prodigy to American Musician, Feminist, and Activist: The Extraordinary Journey of Katinka Rékai

Jacob Hayes

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Escaping Extermination: Hungarian Prodigy to American Musician, Feminist, and Activist

by Robert E. Kapsis

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	144 pages

Katinka Rékai is a Hungarian-born American cellist, composer, and activist who has dedicated her life to using music as a force for social change. She is known for her powerful and evocative performances, her collaborations with renowned musicians around the world, and her tireless advocacy for women's rights.

Early Life and Musical Education

Katinka Rékai was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1975. She began playing the cello at the age of five and quickly displayed an extraordinary talent for music. By the time she was nine, she was performing with orchestras around the world.

Rékai studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and later at the Juilliard School in New York City. She won numerous awards for her musical achievements, including the first prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1998.

Musical Career

Rékai has performed as a soloist with major orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. She has also collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians, including Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, and Itzhak Perlman.

In addition to her classical music career, Rékai is also an accomplished jazz musician. She has released several albums of jazz standards and original compositions, and she frequently performs at jazz clubs and festivals around the world.

Activism

Rékai is a passionate advocate for women's rights. She is a board member of the National Women's Music Festival and the Women's Philharmonic Advocacy, and she frequently speaks out on issues related to gender equality.

In 2017, Rékai founded the Katinka Rékai Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports programs and initiatives that promote gender equality in the arts. The foundation provides grants to organizations that work to increase the visibility and participation of women in the arts, and it also offers scholarships to young women who are pursuing careers in music.

Personal Life

Rékai is married to the American composer David Lang. They have two children.

Katinka Rékai is a remarkable artist and activist who has used her music to make a difference in the world. She is an inspiration to women everywhere, and her work is a testament to the power of art to change lives.

Escaping Extermination: Hungarian Prodigy to American Musician, Feminist, and Activist

by Robert E. Kapsis

5 out of 5