Helena Gáfforová

“She began to make an impact on Bratislava concert podia from 1930 (under her original name Ilonka Magyar). Her achievements in the development of Slovak musical culture date from 1954, when she acquired the position of assistant in chamber collaboration at the Academy of Performing Arts. Even after their studies at the Academy were completed she collaborated with many of the students, whether in the form of piano accompaniment, as a member of ensembles, or in recordings for radio or music publishers..

As a soloist she performed with the leading Slovak orchestras. As soloist or chamber musician she appeared at the most important music festivals in former Czechoslovakia. She was an ardent proponent of the work of her teachers Béla Bartók and Štefan Németh-Šamorínsky, whose piano work she produced in its complete extent. As a teacher she was active from 1930 on, when she taught privately. In 1951-1954 she taught at the former First Musical School (Music School for Slovakia) in Bratislava, and in the period 1954-2003 she worked as assistant in chamber collaboration at the Academy of Performing Arts (1991- dozent).

Her artistic activity (1930 – 2003) ranged through the lives of three generations. Until an advanced age she retained the ability to render outstanding artistic performances. She was a reliable and sought-after support and an inspiration to the performances of her partners. She relied on perfect hearing, unfailing memory, exceptional preparedness, and intensive personal commitment.” (Vladimír Čížik)