Musical discoveries with the National Philharmonic Orchestra

2010. April 15.

The Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra has held a press conference at the Palace of Arts. The motto of the 2010/11 season is: Musical discoveries.

The National Philharmonic Orchestra, too, has been affected by the economic crisis making the life of the orchestra difficult, Director General of the orchestra Géza Kovács said. The Director General nevertheless opines that the season completed with hard work was a fruitful one; the acknowledgements speak for themselves. The programme of the coming season includes traditional and popular pieces as well as rarely heard, special works, in addition to which anniversaries and eminent events also determine the programme. Thus the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of Ferenc Erkel, the Liszt Year as well as the coming EU presidency of Hungary have affected the composition of the programme. In addition to concerts in Budapest, the orchestra is to appear outside the capital as well as several times abroad, including in France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Vatican. Mr Kovács also underlined the close cooperation with the Palace of Arts, thank to which the recording of works of Bartók could continue during the next season and the concerts of the orchestra could be broadcast live via the internet.
General Music Director Zoltán Kocsis emphasised that during the planning of the season, the scarcity of funds was also to be considered, so the programme did not reflect his artistic credo. There would be no opportunity to invite superstar guests next year, either, he said, adding he could, however, take guarantee for those who have been invited. The concerts are to feature mainly guest performers who are probably lesser known yet but are destined to world fame by their talent. It is Mr Kocsis’ desire that his orchestra, which has set a high standard both artistically and in work, could further develop; its artistic rise could continue, certainly at the audience’s satisfaction.
Conductor of the 25-year-old Hungarian National Chorus Mátyás Antal Mátyás said that the choir, one of the youngest professional ensembles in Hungary, has developed to be one of the most significant choirs in the country, attaining an indispensable role in the performance of several productions, great orchestral works today, an example for which was one of the most significant events at the Palace of Arts last year: the Parsifal at Budapest Wagner Days.
Chief choirmaster of the Hungarian Radio Children’s Choir Gabriella Thész drew attention to the fact that the members of her choir were children; schoolchildren who could appear on stage at great concerts with world famous artists, becoming indispensable members of various productions. This was like a pedagogical workshop where these young people could get acquainted with the works of great composers, and great values, working with genuine masters and world famous conductors.

15.04.2010.