Despite their contrasting design and characteristics, there is much that the cimbalom (a type of dulcimer) and the tárogató (a variation on the clarinet) have in common. Thanks to the growing global popularity of world music, these most typical of Hungarian instruments are experiencing a renaissance as more and more contemporary composers write pieces for them. Without wishing to spoil their romantic image, both were the brainchild of Venczel József Schunda, a hugely influential instrument-maker of the late 19th century. He first patented a pedal cimbalom in 1874 and registered his tárogató in 1897, although János Stowasser submitted a patent of his own two days earlier – and it is the latter's design that is in more frequent use today. The first part of the concert will see Gy. László Kiss, clarinettist to the Festival Orchestra, play the tárogató. Contemporary composers have already dedicated more than 25 works to him, and it is from these that he will play a selection. He will also perform a selection of folk music accompanied by viola player Péter Árendás and András Lelkes on double bass. Although he will also perform in Part 1, Kálmán Balogh and his cimbalom will take centre stage after the interval. Balogh shot to worldwide fame as a folk musician, while his counterpart Miklós Lukács specialises more in jazz and contemporary music. The cimbalom duo is a rare combination, which lends their joint recording an added point of interest. However, the double act is perhaps not as strange as it sounds: The instrument is able to perform several functions in the orchestra, allowing the two players to alternate between performing solos and providing accompaniment. Their repertoire consists primarily of variations on folk songs and a handful of their own compositions in new arrangements with András Dés on percussion and bassist Csaba Novák completing the quartet. Presented by: Palace of Arts

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