Based on the organ concerts of the past decade, we may have formed many opinions of the unparalleled instrument of the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, and yet surprises may still lie in store. On this occasion the queen of instruments appears in a world music context, accompanied by other instruments we hear only rarely alongside it. As both artistic director of Müpa’s organ concerts and a performing artist in his own right, László Fassang strives to blend tradition with an innovative spirit, and so, too, to ensure that the organ takes its place as an equal partner of conventional solo instruments and ensembles in the concert hall. This evening, three musical worlds meet with soloists from various musical genres, who enter each other’s spaces, sometimes with a melody, sometimes with accompaniment, and sometimes in joint improvisation, thus creating something original that has never been experienced before, emerging through the freedom of playing together without generic boundaries.
As the poet János Lackfi described her, “Edina 'Mókus' Szirtes is an unusual figure on the Hungarian world music scene. Hers is a very rare cocktail of accomplished virtuoso professional and 100% natural personality. Whether adopting a folk, chanson, oriental or contemporary musical sound, her striking violin runs and the raw energy of her instantly recognisable voice raises her above all trends. Love and Chinese philosophy, climbing the heavens and walking the earth, mystery and bravado…” Balázs “Dongó” Szokolay plays folk and folk-inspired improvisational music on the Hungarian bagpipe, recorder and saxophone. He took an interest in reworking folk music in the course of his in-depth studies of the folklore of the Carpathian Basin. The result is apparent in his own compositions and improvised melodies that capture the musical culture of the distant past yet remain contemporary in their tone. In addition to performing in concert, he also composes pieces of music and writes music for dance and puppet theatre.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest