In this spring, the Pannon Philharmonic received a certification “National” , according to which the state gives us priority and records responsibilities of the orchestra in a public service contract. "We feel that the work here in Pécs over the past 10 years have shown that it is possible to create value outside the capital, as well; so that everyone can be proud of it in Hungary" – said at the orchestra's season opening press conference Zsolt Horváth the director of the Pannon Philharmonic.

 

The responsibilities include pedagogical awareness, support of Hungarian composers and talents, encouraging co-productions and premieres, and an international presence, building up relations with the regions in over the border, inhabited by Hungarians. Due to the organizational transformation, there will be a number of changes, but they are not in these months, but for a long-term basis; and they mean something new in many aspects in the life of the orchestra. The financing of the company which is in 100% municipality-owned remains a municipal responsibility, backed by state support assured by the Law about Performing Arts, our own income, and the income tax assistance, which can be the value of the 80% of the annual ticket revenue for the orchestra as a performing arts organization.

About financial conditions of the national certification, dr. Zsolt Páva, the mayor of the City of Pécs said that the national rating was an important and significant station also for the city; it confirms the professional work made in the recent years. "The city would act in the funding as a good owner, since the entire last season at the Kodály Centre was a very high standard and have set for the orchestra a bar that could be jumped only over, no under.” Zoltán Kocsis, director of the National Philharmonic pointed out that judging an orchestra's performance is very difficult and subjective, because there are few measurable criteria; but he believes that the "egalitarianism" in financial decisions is actually a means to circumvent the decision, which he personally does not agree with.

 

At the Pannon Philharmonic, the musicians perform their duties still in the previous numbers, and with the previous salaries – based on public sector wage scale. This season, Csaba Bencze trombonist,  winner of the Paris International Trombone Competition in  the summer, as principal of the second violin section, Júlia Vedresné Gyermán violinist, who follows the  footsteps  of her mother,  Ágnes Gyermánné Vass, and  Dávid Pechán a s principal cellist, from  Concerto Budapest have signed contracts with the Pécs ensemble.

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