Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer & François Leleux

About the Event

The Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer and François Leleux perform works by Mozart, Liszt, and Pasculli at the Cankarjev Dom this season.

In less than 30 years, the Budapest Festival Orchestra (Budapesti Fesztiválzenekar) has established itself as one of the ten leading orchestras of the world. Comprising only the finest Hungarian musicians, the Orchestra adheres to the highest standards of rendition and is loved by audiences and praised by international critics for its intensive and emotionally gripping performances, for its chamber music‐like attention to detail and for its exceptional ability to share the joy of music with listeners. Whilst regularly appearing in the world’s most important music venues in Europe, North and South America, the Orchestra’s activities are based around a highly popular series of concerts in Hungary. In recent decades, the Orchestra has performed with numerous outstanding artists, and boasts a rich and award‐winning recording activity, resounding opera productions and dedication to premiering new compositions and launching original concert series.

The charismatic and visionary co‐founder of the Orchestra, interpreter, conductor and composer Iván Fischer has introduced a number of innovative initiatives. Fischer has developed and introduced new types of concerts for diverse audiences, founded several festivals in Budapest and worked with the finest symphony orchestras of the world as a guest conductor. In August 2012, Iván Fischer commences his engagement as music director of the Konzerthaus Berlin and principal conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin.

Recognized throughout the world as the best oboist of his generation, François Leleux enjoys an international career performing repertoire from the baroque to newly commissioned works. His skill and personality are phenomenal, displayed across a vast range of colours and dynamics delivered with winking wit. He has worked with leading conductors, appeared with major orchestras and at important venues and festivals. Leleux’s musical activities are now split between solo appearances, playing/directing, chamber music, recitals and concerts with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, of which he was appointed Principal Oboe in 2003. From the 2012‐13 season Francois Leleux will be Artist in Association with the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris.