Budapest Festival Orchestra: Avni, Sibelius, Rachmaninoff
About the Event
Immerse yourself in the stunning architecture of Budapest's breathtaking Palace of Arts for the ultimate concert set to awake your understanding of classical music.
An evocative blend of Eastern European Jewish tradition and melody takes center stage in a distinctive concert experience. The night will feature a singular concerto from Finland's most celebrated composer, the romantic allure of Rachmaninoff's final composition, and a musical ode that reimagines the soulful prayers of Jewish ancestry.
Esteemed violin soloist, Clara‐Jumi Kang, showcases a compelling duality in her musical expression. As described by The Strad, she delicately caresses when the moment demands, yet unflinchingly attacks when the music calls for it. Bachtrack aptly highlights her unparalleled ability to “recreate music in a vivid and poignant manner, enveloped in luminous hues and poignant intonation.”
The orchestra will be led by the proficient Lahav Shani, a 35‐year‐old maestro from Israel, making a return to the BFO's podium. His leadership, characterized by Classic Toulouse, stands out for its “remarkable talent, organic direction, unyielding energy, and pinpoint precision.”
In the vibrant 1960s, Tzvi Avni, an Israeli composer, now nearing a century, channeled his creativity into music that resonated with the diverse tapestry of Jewish culture. His composition for the string orchestra awakens with a prayerful viola melody, reminiscent of Kodály. As the melody progresses, it stirs with tumultuous energy akin to Bartók's signature style, juxtaposed by ethereal flageolet tones. The piece gracefully concludes, drawing the curtain with its resounding opening theme.
Sibelius, having honed his skills as a violinist, blessed the music world with a concerto that beautifully balances comfort and challenge for violinists. Revised post its 1904 premiere, this piece is a masterful synthesis of 19th‐century virtuosity and Sibelius's symphonic flair. Its orchestration, evoking the crispness of northern autumn and winter, journeys through an emotional cadenza, a poignant slow movement, and concludes with an exhilarating dance. A testament to its magnificence, it was dedicated to the prodigious Ferenc Vecsey, who at just thirteen, mesmerized audiences with its debut performance.
Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, possibly his swansong before his departure in 1943, encapsulates the melancholy of homesickness and a poignant adieu to life. Originally envisioned for a ballet, this composition serenades listeners with its haunting melodies, resonating with the composer’s sentiments from his first symphony to the ethereal waltz movement. The grand finale, a medley of Russian Orthodox melodies and Rachmaninoff's own Vespers, poignantly concludes with a reverberating 'Thank you, Lord!'
