Two of the most famous pieces in Romantic music feature at this concert, two works from two different worlds which are nevertheless linked by numerous common features. Each composer was a prominent representative of a branch of Slavic music who transformed the melodic idioms rooted in their own folk music, songs and dances, creating an organic connection between the exotic and European musical traditions. Ivett Gyöngyösi, who achieved nationwide recognition as a winner of the television musical talent show Virtuózok in the older age group, will play the piano concerto which Chopin composed at around the same age as Gyöngyösi is today. “Just as in music, I like things in life which only happen once, which you cannot really prepare for,” said the young pianist in an interview. It is this which makes her playing so direct, spontaneous and natural.
Per aspera ad astra – a rough road leads to the stars: Tchaikovsky’s sweeping, perhaps autobiographically inspired masterpiece, like Beethoven’s famous Symphony No. 5, begins in a tragic mood before reaching its triumphal ending. Its soaring Russian melodies and expansive range of emotions have rightly made this work a concert hall favourite since its première in 1888.
Mendelssohn immortalised his impressions of travelling in England and Scotland in the Hebrides Overture, naturally in sonata form.

Presented by: Hungarian National Philharmonic