Folk musician, first violinist István ‘Szalonna’ Pál is one of the best folk first violinists of our time, and one of the most sought-after folk musicians. He is at home in the folk music of all the regions of the Carpathian Basin.

He was born in Visk (Vyshkove) in Subcarpathia, in the foothills of the Máramaros mountains. His parents Katalin Jancsó and Pál Lajos are music teachers, and to this day are active musicians in the land where they were born. He began studying music in the music in the music school at Tiszapéterfalva, then continued in the neighbouring village with Gyula Murzsa, where he could learn the craft according to the old traditions of Gypsy music. He completed secondary studies at the Reformed College Grammar School in Debrecen. In 2007 he graduated as a teacher in voice-music and folk music from the College in Nyíregyház. In 2012 he completed a teaching degree as a folk string instrument teacher at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music.

He was second violinist in the Galga orchestra, and then the Fonó orchestra. Since 2002 he has worked in the orchestra of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, where in a couple of years he became the leading first violin in the orchestra, and is currently the artistic director.

He formed his own band (Szalonna and his band) whose repertoire ranges from the finest melodies of the Carpathian Basin to folk music arrangements. The ensemble has performed in many places in the world, in Europe, America, and Asia. They have released three important CDs.

As well as making music, he collects much folk music from Transylvania and Subcarpathia, takes part in teaching talented young musicians, and he is also active as a composer.

He has been awarded many prestigious prizes in recognition of his work: in 2010 he received the Silver Cross of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, in 2013 he won the Hungarian Heritage Prize, in 2015 the Liszt Ferenc Prize, and in 2019 he became Artist of Merit of Hungary.