Hungarian violinist Bela Banfalvi is the concertmaster for the Budapest Strings, often leading the ensemble from the violin when they perform without a conductor. He first studied at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest prior to joining the Budapest Strings. With this ensemble, Banfalvi tours widely, performing both standard repertoire as well as works by contemporary Hungarian composers. He has recorded concerti by Vivaldi and Albinoni, mostly for the Laserlight, Cappricio, and Naxos labels.