Saturday, 14 July 2018, 7 pm (rain date: Sunday, 15 July)
Prometheus Overture, op.43
Triple Concerto in C major, op.56
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, "Eroica", op.55
featuring:
Vilmos Szabadi - violin
Zoltán Fejérvári - piano
Gergely Devich - cello
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
conducto: Tibor Bogányi
The audience for this concert will have the pleasure of listening to a selection of works which are emblematic of Beethoven's middle period. The Creatures of Prometheus was originally written as a ballet and is particularly notable for its closing movement, which contains the famous theme the composer later developed into a large-scale variation for the final movement of Symphony No. 3. As the first mature example of Beethoven's radicalism and powerful, bluntly personal sound, the Eroica Symphony, which was composed at the beginning of the 19th century, was a revolutionary milestone in the history of the symphonic genre and music in general. As the famous story goes, Beethoven wrote the symphony in tribute to Napoleon, the supposed embodiment of liberty, equality and fraternity, yet when he discovered that the First Consul had crowned himself Emperor, he tore up the title page – and the 'hero' (Eroica) title was removed from the sub-titles. The Triple Concerto, which was written in the same period, has a unique musical composition, while the closing movement features a bolero-like rhythm characteristic of the polonaise. This wonderful piece of music will be performed by three superb soloists: elder statesman Vilmos Szabadi has been one of the most outstanding violinists on the Hungarian music scene for several decades, Zoltán Fejévári, who belongs to the younger generation, is a returning performer for the Martonvásár concert series, and the 20-year-old Gergely Devich has in recent years emerged as a young prodigy with a glittering future as a violinist. Tibor Bogányi, who has had significant success in Finland and also appears regularly in Hungary, will conduct the Hungarian National Philharmonic.
Saturday, 21 July 2018, 7 pm (rain date: Sunday, 22 July)
Ah, perfido! - concert aria, op. 652
Symphony No. 4 in B major, op. 60
Choral Fantasy, op. 80
featuring:
the Hungarian National Choir
Fülöp Ránki – piano
solo vocalists:
Szilvia Rálik – soprano,
Szabina Schnöller – soprano
and members of the Hungarian National Choir
choir master and conductor: Csaba Somos
Ah, perfido! is a large-scale, 15-minute aria with several sections, otherwise known as a scena. This work from the 26-year-old Beethoven demands extraordinary vocal virtuosity and will be performed by the leading dramatic sopranos of the Hungarian State Opera. Beethoven wrote Symphony No. 4 between two particularly challenging symphonies, an island of happiness among the heroic-themed, serious works of his middle period. It is a light, at times playfully spirited work, full of exciting twists and turns, such as in the first movement, which surprisingly transitions to a life-affirming, optimistic sound after a dark, ominous opening. The second half of the concert will feature a performance of the Choral Fantasy, one of the most special pieces in musical history, by the Hungarian National Choir, the incredibly talented Fülöp Ránki and a selection of outstanding vocal soloists, conducted by the Liszt Prize-winning conductor Csaba Somos. This deliberately bombastic composition is of particular significance in the life of Beethoven, as he composed it 210 years ago as the resounding finale to a benefit concert for composers. Beethoven had intended to find a place for all the performers at the concert in this outstanding piece, which bore similarities in its character and sound to the final movement of Symphony No. 9.
Saturday, 28 July 2018, 7 pm (rain date: Sunday, 29 July
MARTONVÁSÁR 60th
Anniversary Concerts
3 pm: St. Anna Church - concert by the Hungarian National Choir
4 pm: Courtyard of the Community Centre - concert by the Grazioso Chamber Orchestra
5 pm: Castle Auditorium - Klára Kolonits's Aria Afternoon f
featuring: Dániel Dinyés – piano
6.15 pm: Under the Plane Tree - Brass music
7 pm: FESTIVAL CONCERT
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, op. 15
Mass in C major, op. 86
featuring: the Hungarian National Philharmonic and Choir
(choir master: Csaba Somos)
János Balázs - piano
Zita Váradi - soprano
Szilvia Vörös - alto
István Horváth - tenor
Domonkos Blazsó - bass
conductor: Zsolt Hamar
C major represents purity, light and splendour, and when it comes to the classic Vienna period, compositions written in the simplest key usually conjure up just these characteristics and moods. Beethoven's Piano Concerto in C major was actually composed later than his second , but because it was published first, this one is listed as No. 1. The 28-year-old young titan wrote it in something of a hurry, simply because, in the wake of a successful Viennese concert, he wanted to present another piece in concert to audiences as soon as possible. Though he was five years older than Beethoven was when he began writing the piece, the soloist János Balázs is still only 30 and already has a string of successes behind him. The performance of the Mass in C major will feature some superb soloists alongside the Hungarian National Choir. The mass was written at the request of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy II after the end of the Haydn era, when Beethoven was at his artistic and physical peak. It was composed with the deepest respect for the Haydn masses, which were considered the gold standard at the time. Concert-goers are sure to enjoy the afternoon concerts of the 60th anniversary of the first Martonvásár summer Beethoven concert series. The events will take place in the beautiful setting of the former park of Brunswick Castle and combine colourful programmes, a family atmosphere and the finest musicians.
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