The first half of the concert presents a concerto by Sostakovich dating from 1948, the second a mass dating from the 1830s. The soloist is one of the most outstanding performers of the Russian repertoire, Sergej Krylov who has, since 2009, been active as artistic director of the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and a regular guest with numerous renowned orchestras. He will be playing the concerto Shostakovich dedicated to the brilliant David Oistrakh and which could only receive its premiere after the death of Stalin, seven or eight years after it was composed.

The mass in the second part is Schubert’s fifth Latin-language mass which was completed in 1826. The fact that it has become a repertoire work is due to Johannes Brahms who performed excerpts of it in 1863 and 1874.

 
Due to the unexpected hospitalisation of Maestro Kocsis, Howard Williams has been requested to conduct the concert.

 
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Vilmos Tátrai, the legendary Hungarian violin player, who was born 100 years ago. His grand-daughter, Susan Fulop will sing the Song to the Moon from Dvořak’s opera, Ruszalka.

 
In connection with this centenary, we would like to draw your kind attention to the exhibition in the Palace of Arts which can be visited every day between 1 October and 28 October in the Foyer.

 
Vilmos Tátrai, founder of the world famous Tátrai String Quartet and the Hungarian Chamber Orchestra, legendary concertmaster of the Hungarian State Orchestra, professor of the Budapest Academy of Music, would be one hundred years old on 7 October 2012. Through a series of photographs, posters, writings and reviews, the exhibition brings to life the rich oeuvre of this outstanding personality of the 20th century Hungarian music scene who was, in András Batta’s words, “an institution in and of himself”.

 
Presented by: Tátrai Vilmos Zeneművészeti Emlékalapítvány

 
Artist’s angle

 
„I consider myself the last generation of the Soviet musicians. I feel very deeply the spirit of Sostakovich of his history of life.”

The interview was made with Sergej Krylov before he learnt about the unexpected illness of Maestro Kocsis.

 
Watch the whole interview here.