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The National Philharmonic Orchestra awaits the audience on the 22nd of March at 7.00 p.m. in the Kölcsey Centre Great Hall.
Programme of the concert:
Jenő Takács: Antiqua Hungarica, op.47
Dohnányi: Variations on a Children’s Song, op. 25.
Schubert: Symphony No. VIII (B minor) “Unfinished”
Featuring: Zoltán Fejérvári – piano / National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Gergely Kesselyák
About the composers and pieces of music:
Jenő Takács, the longest living Hungarian composer who passed away at the age of 103, had a successful career spanning four continents. He left behind a rich legacy of compositions, including piano works, orchestral pieces, concertos, choirs, and chamber music. One of his most significant compositions is Antiqua Hungarica, written for a symphony orchestra in 1941, which showcases his Hungarian identity. The four movements of the piece are Cantus initialis, Felső-magyarországi tánc, Dél-magyaroszági tánc, and Cantus finalis. In 2002, on the occasion of his centenary, his works were performed in about 200 concerts worldwide.
Dohnányi‘s Variations on a Nursery Song, premiered in Berlin in 1914, is a humorous and musically rich piece that even those without extensive knowledge of music literature and style can enjoy. The popular melody, known in Hungary as “Hull a pelyhes fehér hó,” has inspired many composers, including Mozart, Adolphe Adam, and Liszt. Dohnányi’s work features 13 variations on the theme, followed by a masterfully crafted fugue. The piece showcases the artist’s unique personality, exceptional pianistic abilities, and above-average compositional talent.
Franz Schubert‘s VIII. Symphony in B minor, also known as the “Unfinished Symphony,” is considered the first romantic symphony due to its emphasis on personal and lyrical impulses within the strict framework of classical form. Despite its unfinished state, Schubert may have felt that the first two movements were complete and did not strive to continue composing. The symphony’s orchestration employs various combinations of instruments to create a romantic sound. The premiere of the symphony did not occur until 37 years after Schubert’s death. The first movement features a dramatic construction with unexpected twists and a return to the opening theme, while the second movement has a more joyful and peaceful character with contrasting orchestral sections. The symphony is a unified masterpiece despite its incompleteness.
Date: 22 March at 7.00 p.m.
Location: Kölcsey Centre Great Hall
Source: jegy.hu