Miklós Erdélyi was born in Budapest and from 1946–1951 studied at the Budapest Franz Liszt Music Academy with János Ferencsik for conducting, Rezső Kókai for composition and Aladár Zalánfy for organ.

He began his career as a conductor in Budapest in 1950–51 as deputy leader of the Hungarian Radio Choir.

Works connected to his name include: András Mihály's Together and alone (1967) and György Ránki's The Tragedy of Man (1969).

[2] Miklós Erdélyi's work was characterized by meticulous craftsmanship and musical lyricism and his recordings are widely available[citation needed].

During the Hungarian period of artistic repression, he was considered an important figure in alternative theatre.