The band European Mantra was formed in 2001 at the initiative of the drummer Gergő Borlai. At the time he was the busiest and most sought-after session drummer in the country, having featured on more than one hundred albums. Yet he yearned to give shape to his own musical ideas in a new group without the need for compromise. The band’s other members, all similarly noted musicians, are guitarist Peta Lukács, who is also Gergő’s writing partner, Ferenc Erkel Prize-winning jazz pianist János Nagy and bass guitarist Péter Papesch. Their music is extremely eclectic, given that one of the group’s primary goals is to break down the barriers between musical genres. Rather than using the methods of fusion, however, they prefer to juxtapose extremes. A continuous alternation of musical contrasts, humour and profound ideas provides the inner pulse to their music and concerts, coupled with an astonishingly energetic performance style. European Mantra very rarely perform in concert, but when they do they give it their all – so this evening, the Müpa stage will prepare to withstand a bewildering musical assault. Presented by: Palace of Arts

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