Franz Liszt in Pest-Buda

On a visit to Hungary in the winter of 1839-40 Franz Liszt, the influential, celebrated and pampered 19th century composer, was first confronted with the fact that in the inns of Pest and Buda excellent Gypsy musicians played “Gypsy music” – at least that is what those accompanying the young virtuoso claimed. And although many of them could not read music, these wonderful musicians played such brilliant music, full of improvisations and variations that Liszt was enchanted. Soon after he wrote the Hungarian Rhapsodies that, besides their musical virtuosity, are artistic documents of Liszt’s discovery of his Hungarian identity.
This new programme of the Orchestra of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble evokes this world of traditionally urban Gypsy music: they play the music that enchanted Liszt, the citizen of the world and that stayed with him throughout his long life.

Featuring:
Ágnes Herczku – voice
Bálint Zsoldos – piano
Orchestra of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (first violinists: István “Szalonna” Pál and Ferenc Radics)