Franz Liszt–Zoltán Kocsis: Ave Maria
Sergei Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead, op. 29
Franz Liszt: Dance of Death
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Sergei Rachmaninov: Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, op.43
Franz Liszt: Mazeppa

Olga Kern piano

Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Martin Rajna

The Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra will pay tribute to the memory of its former artistic director Zoltán Kocsis by performing works from the kind of composers whose modes of expression shared an affinity with that of the great pianist and conductor. Liszt and Rachmaninov are certainly of that ilk – we will even hear a composition from Liszt that Kocsis himself arranged for the orchestra. Given that Zoltán Kocsis was a supporter of youthful musicians, it should come as no surprise that this memorial concert will be conducted by the emerging young talent Martin Rajna. The soloist Olga Kern has previously appeared as a special guest of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Liszt’s Ave Maria is a piano piece that was also a part of Kocsis’s repertoire, which is perhaps how the latter had the idea of arranging the piece for the orchestra. Rachmaninov’s symphonic poem The Isle of the Dead was inspired by a painting by Arnold Böcklin after the composer viewed a black-and-white photograph of Böcklin’s work. When Rachmaninov saw the coloured version, however, he disappointedly commented that “If I had seen the original first, I could hardly have composed my piece. I prefer the black-and-white one.” The melody of the Gregorian chant Dies irae plays an important role in The Isle of the Dead, and also forms the basis for the next work in the programme, Liszt’s Dance of Death. In fact, in the composition written for piano and orchestra that follows after the interval, Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, we will hear a final reference to this medieval melody that evokes the Last Judgement and which was so loved by Romantic composers. To complete the programme, Mazeppa is one of Liszt’s most popular symphonic poems and was written based on the poem by Victor Hugo in Weimar in 1851. The work of literature tells the story of a heroic Cossack leader who is tied to a wild horse by the enemy – and explains the stormy character of the passionate music.

Martin Rajna’s career has been making great strides both in Hungary and further afield. Olga Kern is a piano virtuoso of Russian origin who resides in America and was the 2001 winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.