Featuring:
We would like, even during this extraordinary situation, for the Müpa Budapest audience to still be able to encounter the world's most outstanding and thrilling artists each evening - this time in their own homes. It is precisely for this reason that we have decided to unlock our media library for everyone over the weeks to come and - each night at the familiar times - open Müpa Budapest's virtual concert hall and auditoriums by providing access to a single unforgettable performance from past years.
The performance will be broadcasted on our website, Facebook-page and YouTube channel.
For years, the organ duels at Müpa Budapest have generated huge interest, reviving the tradition of noble rivalry between artists. This occasion sees two more extraordinary personalities take to the stage, both masters of their chosen instrument and - a particularly important element of the organ duels - outstandingly skilled at improvisation. Improvisations take shape before the audiences commemorating and evoking the spirit of the great composers - Bach, Purcell, Reger and Liszt. We gain an insight into the secrets of the craft, and the audience is even invited to suggest themes for improvisation on the spot.
Born in Bavaria, Ronny Krippner is in the unique position of having been trained in both the German and British traditions. He gained his first degree in Regensburg, before going on to pursue further study at Exeter University in the UK. He is currently organist at a church in one of London's suburbs, and also teaches at the Birmingham Conservatoire and Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. He has won several prizes in competitions with his improvisations, and has also released a DVD on which he presents the traditions of the genre in Great Britain. He frequently gives concerts in both Germany and the UK, and is a regular guest in churches and concert halls in the Benelux countries, the United States, Mexico and Australia.
Dirk Elsemann began his studies in ecclesiastic music and organ at the tender age of seven, and was already playing music in church from the age of 12. Presently, he is cantor of a Catholic church in Berlin, where he restored and expanded the instrument according to his own designs. He also works as a freelance organist, and is an associate professor of liturgical organ and improvisation at Berlin University of the Arts. His astonishingly virtuosic but highly imaginative play can be heard on a number of recordings.
This recording was made at a concert held at Müpa Budapest on 27 January 2015.
Presented by: Müpa Budapest
