ZOLTÁN KODÁLY: Dances of Galánta
BALÁZS KECSKÉS D.: Viola Concerto
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ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88

Máté Szűcs viola
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Martin Rajna

It is always thrilling to encounter new Hungarian music and a genuine cause for celebration among music lovers when its composer is young. We will enjoy this double pleasure with a performance by Máté Szűcs of Balázs Kecskés D.’s Viola Concerto. An additional joy will be provided by the solo instrument – while violin concertos are frequent, the dulcet-toned viola is rarely assigned a solo role. For this concert by the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Martin Rajna will frame the contemporary Hungarian composition with music from Kodály and Dvořák (Dances of Galánta, Symphony No. 8).

Balázs Kecskés D. (b. 1993), a successful representative of the young generation of Hungarian composers, studied at the Liszt Academy as a protogée of János Vajda from 2011 to 2014, and is currently a teacher at the Composition Department of the same institution. His catalogue of works includes opera scenes, an arrangement of an Attila József poem for orchestra, choir and tenor solo, chamber music, solo piano compositions, choral works and a symphonic orchestral piece. As part of this Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra concert, the audience can look forward to hearing his Viola Concerto performed by Máté Szűcs (b. 1978), a globally acclaimed soloist, chamber musician and orchestra performer, and the former principal violist of the Berlin Philharmonic. The concert will be conducted by Martin Rajna (b. 1995), the chief conductor of the Győr Philharmonic Orchestra. Kodály’s colourful orchestral piece Dances of Galánta will be performed prior to the concerto, while the interval will be followed by Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, which is packed with diverse characters and folk melodies.