Eszter was born in the glorious capital of the land of Arpad. At the encouragement of her grandparents and her mother, who had studied harp and piano, she took up violin at the age of six. Eszter's parents were part of a theater group, which later became known as Squat Theater. Though their work was not overtly political, in a time and place where celebrating the spirit of individual expression and freedom is the most political statement of all, the authorities put the group under constant surveillance and prohibited any public performances.

When Eszter was ten, she and her parents, along...