This pattern kicks off with Brahms’s work from 1873, which, as its title suggests, develops variations on a theme by Haydn. However, the chorale melody running through the eight variations and the finale can be traced back to even earlier. While the 19th-century literature of concertos written for the horn cannot be compared to the popularity of that of the violin or piano, Robert Schumann was fond of employing it as a solo instrument, and the most beautiful proof of this fact is his composition from 1849, which offered a leading role not only to one excellent horn player, but four of them. “Petrushka is an old work of mine. I wouldn’t say it turned out poorly. But now I’m finished with it.” So said Stravinsky in 1926, who always enjoyed surprising journalists, in Budapest in 1926. In fact, he did indeed return to this work decades later. For our part, we will never be finished with Petruska.

Forming an integral part of the concerts held as part of the INZERT series held by Concerto Budapest in conjunction with the Örkény Theatre during the 2023/24 season will be texts performed by members of the company that are related to the musical works in the programmes in terms of content, mood and/or evoking the spirit of the times. The 19 January performance features Imre Csuja.

Presented by: Concerto Budapest