photo: Marco Borggreve
We are turning forty: Bruckner was the same age when he finally gathered his courage and composed his first symphony. He spent his previous decades getting ready: the fruits of all that preparation are the nine wonderful symphonies he would compose over the next thirty years of his life. Like Bruckner, we are also always learning and preparing. Soon, we will get to work on the truly important concerts…
Bach was just over forty when he sent a letter to the Leipzig town council. In it, he laid out what it takes to assemble a good church orchestra: how many string instruments, how many winds and how many singers are required, and what to do with students who may or may not have a good sense and ear for music. As for us, we may have a few years left to do so, but perhaps one day I, too, will collect my advice for those working towards advancing our culture.
When Kodály turned 40, he had the premieres of only a few of his chamber music pieces behind him. It was in his forties that he composed Psalmus Hungaricus, Háry János and his choral works, and it was only later that he started to work on his incredible educational activities. All of us who learned solmization using the Kodály method have received a fantastic gift from the composer.
This is our future, too. We have until now only been collecting our energy, establishing our various concert formats, learning the pieces and striving to become a good orchestra. Now, however, the Budapest Festival Orchestra embarks on a new era, when we share and spread the experiences collected in our forty years. This is no small task: we are not only responsible for the future of classical music, but also for determining what music can do for people and for our shared future. We have so many plans. Please stay with us for the next several decades!
Iván Fischer Music Director
photo: Gábor Máté
Celebrating his fortieth anniversary as an author, Mór Jókai was asked in 1883 how he had managed to write several dozen novels. “Forty years is a nice long time”, he answered. Now that the Budapest Festival Orchestra has also reached this “nice” adult age, it is time to look back and highlight some memorable moments. How many concerts have we performed during the four decades? Maybe even we can’t keep count: we played at the opening of the concert hall of Suzhou, a city of ten million inhabitants, gave a concert in a youth detention center, and performed at the Lucerne Festival and in the wonderful concert hall of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, but also in a medical spa at the edge of the pool, in a hospital to expectant mothers, in churches, synagogues, nursing homes, as well as at Cocoa Concerts. It is a great honor that after winning several prizes, in 2022, the BFO was named the Orchestra of the Year by the Gramophone magazine. The commitment of our musicians, the creativity of our Music Director, the dedication of my colleagues and the devoted attention and love of our audiences give us strength in both the joyful moments and hard times. Thank you to the friends of the orchestra in Hungary and abroad, our individual and corporate supporters, the past and present cultural administration of Hungary and the leadership of Budapest for having believed and still believing in us.
Benjamin Britten is said to have played hopscotch in the corridors of hotels, still when he was in his forties. Even as an adult, he kept his childlike curiosity and creativity. I wish that our ensemble – always open to new ideas and representing classical heritage with modern tools in diverse venues and arrangements – remain fresh and young, and be able to thrive as a renowned orchestra while staying in close contact with the audience, and conquer new heights inspired by their love of music.
Orsolya Erdődy Managing Director
photo: Gábor
Máté
activity together. Forty years ago, they started saving their concert tickets; the collection features four hundred BFO concert tickets today.
I listened to a lot of music when I was little. I met my husband in elementary school, in second grade, and we both became interested in music at a very young age. We were not particularly successful at learning music: neither one of us was very talented, so all we could do was visit concerts. From a young age, we seized every opportunity we could. After we were married, this remained the strongest link, which has held us together our entire lives. In 1984, there was an opera performance that my husband liked so much that he kept his ticket. Since then, there was not a single concert experience where we didn’t save our tickets. My husband recorded the date, the venue, the performers and the concert program on the back of each ticket. After a while, as the orchestra became better and better, we started choosing the BFO’s concerts more and more frequently – to the point where the only performances we would visit were the BFO’s. Our children and grandchildren are also concertgoers. I buy their tickets because I think it is very important for them to have the kind of close relationship with music that we have had during our lives together.
The most wonderful link Zsófia Székely, a member of the BFO Patrons, has been a musiclover since she was little. Together with her husband, visiting concerts was their favorite
Iván Fischer was making his own dream come true when he founded the Budapest Festival Orchestra in 1983. Thanks to its innovative approach to music and the uncompromising dedication of its musicians, the BFO has become the youngest ensemble to join the world’s top ten symphony orchestras. In addition to Budapest, the orchestra regularly performs in some of the most important concert venues of the international music scene and is also present on international streaming platforms. Since its inception, the BFO has been recognized by Gramophone, the prestigious British musical periodical, three times: in 1998 and 2007, the magazine’s professional panel of judges awarded the BFO the prize for the best recording, while in 2022, thanks to audience votes, it was named Orchestra of the Year. The BFO’s most considerable successes are connected to Mahler: their recording of Symphony No. 1 was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013.
As well as recording successes and acclaimed tours, the BFO has also made a name for itself internationally with its series of innovative concerts. The Autism-friendly Cocoa Concerts, the Surprise Concerts – appreciated also at the Proms in London –, full-day musical marathons, informal Midnight Music performances geared towards young adults, outdoor concerts in Budapest, free Community Weeks and the Bridging Europe Festival, co-organized with Müpa Budapest, are all unique in their own ways. Another special feature of the orchestra is that its members regularly sing at their concerts.
Each year, the BFO, in collaboration with the Iván Fischer Opera Company, Müpa Budapest, the Vicenza Opera Festival and the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, also stages an opera production. The performances have been invited to the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg; in 2013, the Marriage of Figaro led the New York Magazine’s list of the best classical music events of the year. The Vicenza Opera Festival, founded by Iván Fischer, debuted in the fall of 2018 at the Teatro Olimpico.
photo: Marco Borggreve
Fischer Iván
Conductor, Music Director
Takács-Nagy Gábor
Principal Guest Conductor
Violin
Major Tamás (concertmaster)
Daniel Bard (concertmaster)
Asztalos Bence
Biró Ágnes
Bodó Antónia
Bujtor Balázs
Czenke Csaba
Czirók Györgyi
Eckhardt Violetta
Gál-Tamási Mária
Gátay Tibor
Gulyás Emese
Haják Krisztina
Hrib Radu
Illési Erika
Iván Tímea
Jász Pál
Kádár István
Kostyál Péter
Kovács Erika
Lesták Bedő Eszter
Lezsák Zsófia
Molnár Noémi
Mózes Anikó
Oláh Gyöngyvér
Pilz János
Sipos Gábor
Szabó Levente
Szefcsik Zsolt
Szlávik Zsuzsanna
Takácsné Nagy Gabriella
Tuska Zoltán
Davide Dalpiaz (academist)
David Tobin (academist)
Viola
Bodolai Cecília
Bolyki László
Csoma Ágnes
Miguel Erlich
Fekete Zoltán
Gábor Ferenc
Gálfi Csaba
Juhász Barna
Polónyi István
Reinhardt Nikoletta
Yamamoto Nao
Cello
Dvorák Lajos
Eckhardt Éva
Kertész György
Liptai Gabriella
Mahdi Kousay
Mód Orsolya
Sovány Rita
Szabó Péter
Farkas Olívia
Double bass
Fejérvári Zsolt
H. Zováthi Alajos
Kaszás Károly
Lévai László
Magyar Csaba
Martos Attila
Naomi Shaham
Sipos Csaba
David Tinoco (academist)
Flute
Jóföldi Anett
Nagy Bernadett
Pivon Gabriella
Oboe
Victor Aviat
Berger Márta
Berta Beáta
Clara Dent-Bogányi
Johannes Grosso
Eva Neuszerova
Marie-Noëlle Perreau
Clarinet
Ács Ákos
Andrea Caputo
Csalló Roland
Daniel Roscia
Szitka Rudolf
Bassoon
Bogányi Bence
Andrea Bressan
Duffek Mihály
Rapi Péter
Tallián Dániel
Horn
Bereczky Dávid
Nagy Zsombor
Szabó András
Szőke Zoltán
Trumpet
Czeglédi Zsolt
Csikota Gergely
Póti Tamás
Tóth Zoltán
Javier Lasarte (academist)
Trombone
Szakszon Balázs
Sztán Attila
Wagner Csaba
Yuval Wolfson
Tuba
Bazsinka József
Harp
Polónyi Ágnes
Rosanna Rolton
Timpani
Dénes Roland
Torsten Schoenfeld
Percussion
Iris Van Den Bos
Ulf Breuer
Fábry Boglárka
Herboly László
Kurcsák István
Maros Ádám
Pusztai Gábor
Keyboards, regular piano accompanists
Báll Dávid
Dinyés Soma
Mali Emese
Nagy László Adrián
Pétery Dóra
photo: Gábor
Máté
Róbert Zentai has worked as the stage manager of the Budapest Festival Orchestra for thirty years. In addition to countless tours and concerts, the opera productions have also been a wonderful experience and challenge for him.
It’s not always easy to bring Iván Fischer’s ideas to life, but the result is always a huge success. I was most impressed by the performance of Don Giovanni. I was fascinated by how human bodies were used as the set on the stage: there was nothing else but human beings and music, and everything could be expressed through them.
The Magic Flute and Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo were challenges regarding both their performance and the path that led there. In the latter case, we had to present the mysteriousness of the opera. We developed special lighting technology and the set was also unique. We built a transparent ship, which everybody admired. It seemed to be made out of glass and float on the imaginary river where Charon carries people to the underworld. The whole thing had to look as if it was only a creation of fantasy.
This kind of project involves a lot of brainstorming and discussion. Sometimes it turns out that something doesn’t work. For example, we had to rethink Falstaff’s basket several times along the way due to new functions appearing again and again, but in the end, all the elements of the opera worked.
I’ve been working together with Iván for a very long time. He knows exactly how much I love challenges. If something can be solved, I will solve it, and if I don’t think an idea can be realized, he will usually accept it.
Heroes’ Square in Budapest is an emblematic venue for us: the Budapest Festival Orchestra has treated audiences in the capital to a number of memorable concerts. To recall just one of several special moments: at a concert in 1993, during the Bosnian War, a choir of Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian singers performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 together at the invitation of the BFO. In 2001, we performed a concert entitled With Gypsies alongside Roma musicians; in 2007, thousands danced in the square at our Waltz Concert. Dance has retained a prominent role: the BFO has hosted the Dancing on the Square project five times, promoting tolerance and acceptance. Each year, for the closing event of the project, hundreds of young people from disadvantaged regions danced together in Heroes’ Square to the music of the orchestra. In 2023, the BFO will celebrate Budapest’s 150th birthday at this important venue and will perform an overture composed specifically for this occasion. As Iván Fischer puts it, “to celebrate Budapest’s 50th birthday, in 1923, a major concert was staged. It served as the premiere of new works composed for the occasion: Ernő Dohnányi’s Festival Overture, Béla Bartók’s Dance Suite and Zoltán Kodály’s Psalmus Hungaricus. The Budapest Festival Orchestra will continue this tradition on the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the capital, with the premiere of the winning submission composed for the occasion. The BFO will also perform Beethoven’s Eroica symphony.”
September 09 – 10 + 12
A joint production of the Iván Fischer Opera Company, Müpa Budapest, the Vicenza Opera Festival and the Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
09 Saturday 7:00 p.m. Doráti
10 Sunday 7:00 p.m. Reiner
12 Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Solti
Claude Debussy Pelléas and Mélisande
Pelléas (Bernard Richter), Mélisande (Patricia Petibon), Golaud (Tassis Christoyannis), Arkel (Nicolas Testé), Geneviève (Yvonne Naef), Doctor / Shepherd (Peter Harvey), Little Yniold (N.N.) / conductor: Iván Fischer, directors: Iván Fischer and Marco Gandini
The Budapest Festival Orchestra's opera series will continue with Debussy's groundbreaking music drama that hovers on the border between dream and reality. The cast of Pelléas and Mélisande, directed by Iván Fischer, is once again made up of international stars. After the BFO's production of The Magic Flute, Swiss tenor Bernard Richter is back to sing the most important role in his repertoire. The other title role is played by world-famous soprano Patricia Petibon, described by The Guardian as an eccentric in the best sense of the word. The character of Golaud is played by Tassis Christoyannis, who is well known to the Hungarian audience. In Debussy's opera, more emphasis is placed on symbols than on plot, and natural speech is more important than melody. The result is: deeply human, surging music inviting individual interpretation.
September 24 + 26
A joint event by Müpa Budapest and the BFO
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
24 Sunday 7:45 p.m. Doráti
26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Solti
Franz Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody in D minor
(trancript by Franz Liszt and Franz Doppler), S. 359, No. 2; Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125
Béla Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz. 73, BB 82
– stage performance with the Eva Duda Dance Company
Jenő Lisztes (cimbalom), Dejan Lazić (piano)
Eva Duda Dance Company / conductor: Iván Fischer
Bridging Europe with Liszt, Bartók, cimbalom, piano and pantomime. The most famous Hungarian rhapsody is not simply played in its orchestral version, but with the addition of the characteristic instrument of urban gypsy music that inspired Liszt. The cimbalom solo will be played by Jenő Lisztes, who has not only captivated audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Musikverein and the BBC Proms with the BFO, but has also worked with the legendary Hans Zimmer. Liszt's increasingly richly orchestrated piano concerto, which has gone through four versions, will be performed with Croatian soloist Dejan Lazić, described by The Guardian as "a powerhouse performer whose playing combines strength with beauty". After the interval, one of Bartók's most beloved works, The Miraculous Mandarin, with a plot that explores questions of the body and soul, will be performed by the Eva Duda Dance Company.
September 29 –30
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
29 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
30 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay
Johann Sebastian Bach Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
(Exult in God in every land) – cantata, BWV 51
Georg Philipp Telemann Overture-suite in B-flat major (“Nations”), TWV 55:B5
Johann Sebastian Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
Georg Philipp Telemann Ino – dramatic cantata, TWV 20:41
Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Fruzsina Hara (Baroque trumpet)
artistic director: Jonathan Cohen / Baroque gesture: Sigrid T’Hooft
Virtuosity, heights, caricatures and mythology at the BFO's early music concert. The ensemble is once again led by British specialist in baroque music, Jonathan Cohen, and the period gestures are once again being created under the expert direction of Sigrid T'Hooft. The challenging soprano solo of Bach's most popular cantata and Telemann's composition
Ino is sung by Carolyn Sampson, whose fresh tone, superb technique and subtle sensuality were highlighted by the critic in The Guardian. In the Bach cantata, as well as in the Brandenburg Concerto, the trumpet will play a prominent role. Once the first female trumpet student at the Liszt Academy, Fruzsina Hara now plays with some of the world's leading orchestras. In addition to virtuoso solos, the evening will also reveal how Telemann saw the character and music of different nations.
November 12 – 13
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
12 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay
13 Monday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
Johann Sebastian Bach Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV 1066
Dmitri Shostakovich Sonata for Violin, Op. 134
(transcription by Mikhail Zinman and Andrei Pushkarev)
Arnold Schönberg Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4
Daniel Bard (violin) / concertmaster: János Pilz
From Baroque to the second half of the 20th century in a single evening? The Budapest Festival Orchestra invites you on a musical journey through the ages in its Concertino series. An essential figure of the ensemble, János Pilz, one of the winners of the 2011 Sándor Végh Competition, takes the lead in the series, which aims to present smaller-scale, more intimate works. This time, the program opens with a lighter piece by Bach, the first orchestral suite and continues, with a leap of nearly two and a half centuries, with Shostakovich's somber, stunningly beautiful sonata for violin and piano, transcribed for string orchestra and percussion. The solo is played by Daniel Bard, a passionate advocate of playing chamber music and one of the BFO's concertmasters. The concert will close with Schönberg most popular work, a love story full of twists and turns.
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
25 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Doráti, Kertész
26 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Storytime with Iván
27 Monday 7:45 p.m. Solti
Sergei Rachmaninoff Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14; Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18; Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Anna Vinnitskaya (piano) / conductor: Iván Fischer
A song without words that is most expressive. A piano concerto that brought its composer out of a state of deep depression. A symphony that finally erases a devastating failure. Rachmaninoff's works are fascinating for the history of their creation. Although the critics of the time found them sentimental and nostalgic, we love to listen to them because they are beautiful! The orchestral version of Vocalise, originally written for voice and piano, and a gem of the vocal repertoire, will open the concert, followed by the Piano Concerto No. 2. Its performer, Anna Vinnitskaya was described by The Washington Post as "a true lioness" and by Gramophone as "an unforgettable shimmering play of light and shade". After the interval, the monumental musical triumph, Symphony No. 2 is played.
December 18 – 19
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
18 Monday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
19 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Kertész
Francesco Scarlatti – Charles Avison Concerto in F major, S. 1187, No. 3
Johann Adolf Hasse „Se mai turbo il tuo riposo”
(“If I disturbed thy rest”) – aria from Cleofide
Georg Philipp Telemann Concerto for Recorder and Bassoon in F major, TWV 52:F1
Johann Georg Pisendel Violin Concerto in G minor, JunP I.1
Johann Adolph Hasse Sinfonia in G minor, Op. 5, No. 6
George Frideric Handel Il delirio amoroso (The Delirium of Love) – cantata, HWV 99
Rowan Pierce (soprano) /artistic director and violin: Rachel Podger
Baroque gesture: Sigrid T’Hooft
Baroque curiosities will be performed at the BFO's pre-Christmas concert of early music. The ensemble and the violin concerto will be led by Rachel Podger, described by The Times as "the unsurpassed British glory of the Baroque violin". Opera and cantata parts will be performed by Rowan Pierce. The BBC Music Magazine reviewer described the young soprano's voice as clear, strong, supple, sparkling and warm. Sigrid T'Hooft, one of the most renowned experts on baroque movements, is once again responsible for this unmissable spectacle. The program includes a forgotten member of the Scarlatti family, the opera composer Hasse, the prolific Telemann, the violin virtuoso Pisendel and Handel, who was already world famous during his lifetime.
Budapest Congress Center
26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
The story of the Budapest Festival Orchestra started on December 26, 1983 at the Liszt Academy. Everyone thinks back on that very first special concert as an experience unlike any other, unleashing explosive energies never seen before at a performance by a symphony orchestra. The atmosphere was indescribable!
Now, forty years later, we are thrilled to invite our audience to join us at our Jubilee Surprise Concert, which will be a unique event, truly unlike any other. At our Surprise Concerts, our musicians perform alternately as orchestra players, chamber musicians or soloists in the most diverse genres and styles. This evening might feature Baroque, classical, romantic and contemporary pieces, as well as jazz, klezmer or folk music. Iván Fischer magically brings all of this together with his inexhaustible set of ideas.
The trust and love we receive together at the end of each year lift us up. For us, the most wonderful birthday present is to be able to make music for you. Let’s celebrate together!
January 12 – 13 – 14
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
12 Friday 7:45 p.m. Solti
13 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Doráti
14 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Reiner
Tzvi Avni Prayer for String Orchestra
Jean Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Sergei Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
Clara-Jumi Kang (violin) / conductor: Lahav Shani
A musical prayer that puts a new spin on the traditions of Eastern European Jewry, the only concerto by Finland's greatest composer, and Rachmaninoff's last piece, famous for its romantic and beautiful melodies, will be performed in this unusual concert. Violin soloist
Clara-Jumi Kang is a versatile musician who, according to The Strad, is as ready to caress as to attack. "A soloist who, beyond virtuosity, is capable of recreating music with meaning and sensitivity, providing brilliant color and expressive intonation," Bachtrack also refers to her contrasts. The conductor will be Lahav Shani, a 35-year-old Israeli. This is not his first time conducting the BFO. He is "an exceptionally talented conductor, directing the orchestra naturally and with exemplary energy and," wrote The Classic Toulouse.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
19 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
20 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Kertész, Széll
21 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 16 in C major, K. 128
Joseph Haydn Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb:2; Symphony No. 20 in C major, Hob. I:20
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 35 in D major (“Haffner”), K. 385 Kian Soltani (cello) / conductor: Gérard Korsten
Austrian music from an Austrian conductor and soloist: like shoes from the shoe shop. The oeuvre of Haydn and Mozart is inexhaustible, so new symphonies and concertos will be added to the BFO series. This time the orchestra is conducted by Gérard Korsten, who, according to The Telegraph's journalist, "has the swerve and pounce of a fencer on the podium," and the orchestra’s sound is "similarly swift on its feet." The concert opens with the sixteen-year-old Mozart's symphony, followed by a cello concerto, a rare genre for the time. The soloist in Haydn's piece is Kian Soltani, who has Persian ancestry and is described by a reviewer in The Washington Post as "drawing the orchestra after him like a halo around a candle flame." After the interval, a bright and mischievous work by the father of the symphony will be played, followed by Mozart's symphony transformed from a serenade.
A joint event by Müpa Budapest and the BFO
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
Müpa Budapest, Festival Theatre
04 Sunday
artistic directors: Iván Fischer and Csaba Káel
There is so much good music out there, but only one Marathon a year. In the past 16 years, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Bartók, Bach, Stravinsky, Mendelssohn and Schumann, Brahms, Bernstein, Debussy and Ravel, Beethoven once again, Berlioz and Liszt online, Richard Strauss and Prokofiev have been the composer giants at the center of the joint Marathons of the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Müpa Budapest. During the all-day event, the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall primarily will be the venue for the symphonic concerts, while the Festival Theatre will host the chamber music events. The other rooms and spaces will offer free concerts and screenings. Performers include outstanding Hungarian soloists, chamber ensembles and orchestras. As usual, some young talents will also be invited. Spending an entire day engrossed in the music is an unforgettable and intense experience.
Through the performances and the screenings at the joint musical Marathon of the BFO and Müpa Budapest, visitors may escape their daily routines and immerse themselves in the most divine of arts: music. But who will be the next name?
February 09 –10 + 12
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
09 Friday 7:45 p.m. Doráti, Kertész
10 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Storytime with Iván
12 Monday 7:45 p.m. Solti
Johannes Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 10; Concerto for Piano No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83; Hungarian Dance No. 7; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Yefim Bronfman (piano) / conductor: Iván Fischer
A grim face, a long beard, conservative music – that's how Brahms lives in many people's minds. Some do not accept that he wrote the light Hungarian Dances, others are amazed that the same composer wrote one of the most extensive and difficult piano concertos in the history of music. It is also quite incredible that after fifteen years of maturing his first symphony, the second was completed in just four months. This time, the BFO paints a cheerful portrait of Brahms, performing two large-scale compositions, each accompanied by a Hungarian Dance. Pianist Yefim Bronfman is a recurring guest of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. "His fluid technique and rich romantic color infused the music with passion from the opening movement," wrote international critics of his earlier Brahms performance.
February 28 – 29 + March 02
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
28 Wednesday 7:45 p.m. Solti
29 Thursday 7:45 p.m. Doráti
02 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Széll
Maurice Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin (The Grave of Couperin)
Ernő Dohnányi Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Symphony No. 5 in D major (“Reformation”), Op. 107
Dénes Várjon (piano) / conductor: Jaime Martín
Ravel pays tribute to friends who died in the war, Dohnányi highlights the childishly joyful side of classical musicians, Mendelssohn celebrates the Reformation with a symphony – there are exciting stories behind the music on the program. The concert will be conducted by Jaime Martín, a Spaniard who has been a leading conductor of major orchestras from Melbourne to Los Angeles, and whose "infectious enjoyment of the music communicated to the orchestra and audience alike," according to a review in The Telegraph. Ravel's suite, Le Tombeau de Couperin, which is a tribute to Baroque keyboard music, is followed by Dohnányi's musical paraphrase of the song Twinkle, twinkle little star, full of musical humor. The soloist of the latter is one of the most sought-after pianists of the world, the Kossuth Prize winner Dénes Várjon. After the interval, the orchestra performs the grandiose Reformation Symphony by the twentyone-year-old Mendelssohn.
March 08 – 09 – 10
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
08 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
09 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay
10 Sunday 7:45 p.m.
Mozart
Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 85 in B-flat major (“The Queen”), Hob. I:85
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216; Serenade No. 5 in D major, K. 204
Marc Bouchkov (violin) / conductor: Gábor Takács-Nagy
“There is an incredible amount of positive energy and vitality in both of them,” says Takács-Nagy, who has been drawn to Haydn and Mozart since his childhood. The great conductor sees the two composers as spiritual medicine, and his series has been healing and curing at BFO concerts for years. This time, he conducts the Haydn Symphony, a favorite of Queen Marie Antoinette of France, followed by Mozart's most popular violin concerto, and a serenade so long it extends to a whole concert section. The latter includes a later symphony and a violin concerto. The soloist of the program is the Belgian violinist
Marc Bouchkov, who has Russian-Ukrainian ancestry and whose playing demonstrates how close this instrument can come to the human voice. "Undoubtedly: an exceptional talent," wrote the critic of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
March
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
24 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Reiner, Storytime with Iván
25 Monday 7:45 p.m. Doráti
26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Solti
Johann Sebastian Bach St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 – excerpts and other passion stories
Peter Harvey (baritone), Anna-Lena Elbert (soprano)
Cantemus Mixed Choir / conductor: Iván Fischer
"The framework of the concert is Bach's St. Matthew Passion but, in addition to the story of Jesus’ suffering, we also express our compassion for other innocent victims,” says Iván Fischer, summing up the concept of the concert, which is called Compassion. About half of Bach's most extended work will be performed in this concert. After the opening chorus, at the first key point in the story, the BFO immediately inserts a climactic interlude that responds to our present, followed again by Bach, and so on. The result: a colorful, allusive, living musical reflection on the world. The Passion will be performed by the Cantemus Mixed Choir and exceptional international soloists. Peter Harvey takes on the role of Jesus. The Times says he is engaging; The Guardian points out he is nuanced; BBC Music Magazine writes he is subtle and human.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
12 Friday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
13 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Kertész, Széll
14 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay
Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 86 in D major, Hob. I:86
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466; Serenade for Orchestra No. 9 in D major (“Posthorn”), K. 320
Dmitry Shishkin (piano) / conductor: Gábor Takács-Nagy
The BFO's Haydn-Mozart concert in April will be a companion piece to the March program. It starts with one of Haydn's Paris symphonies, followed by one of Mozart's most popular concertos, this time for piano and orchestra. The second half of the evening will again feature a Mozart serenade, with a special posthorn appearing in the orchestra. The piano solo will be played by Dmitry Shishkin, a Russian in his early thirties, described by Le Temps as "captivating". He won second prize at the 16th International Tchaikovsky Competition, and first prize at the Geneva International Music Competition. According to Evgeny Kissin, he is a serious, dedicated pianist, in whom professionalism meets natural finesse. The concert will be conducted by Gábor TakácsNagy, a specialist of the two composers and the series' permanent conductor.
April 26 – 2 7 + 29
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
26 Friday 7:45 p.m. Doráti, Kertész
27 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Reiner
29 Monday 7:45 p.m. Solti
Erkki-Sven Tüür Aditus
Robert Schumann Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major (“Spring”), Op. 38
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82 conductor: Paavo Järvi
"A three-course gourmet meal" was how the Bachtrack critic described Paavo Järvi's concert, which featured pieces by Sibelius, Tüür and Beethoven. The Grammy Award-winning Estonian-American conductor is coming to the BFO with a similarly exciting program. The evening opens with a concert overture by Erkki-Sven Tüür. Aditus, written in 2000, explores existential questions, and its chromatic melodies can evoke a variety of thoughts in the listener. The tension of the new sound will be relieved by Robert Schumann's lively, spring-like work, in which the composer found his way to writing symphonies after Beethoven. The concert will close with Jean Sibelius' most popular symphony. This colorful work progresses through three extensive movements to an elevated depiction of flying swans.
May 10 – 1 1 + 14
Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall
10 Friday 7:45 p.m. Doráti, Széll
11 Saturday 3:30 p.m. Storytime with Iván
14 Tuesday 7:45 p.m. Solti
Johannes Brahms Hungarian Dance, No. 21; Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102; Hungarian Dance, No. 14; Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Veronika Eberle (violin), Steven Isserlis (cello) conductor: Iván Fischer
After the February concert, in May, the BFO will perform two more of Brahms' Hungarian Dances, a challenging concerto, and a symphony that traverses the depths of the musical landscape. The last dance, and one of the most lyrical pieces of the series will open each part. The concert concludes with Brahms' tragic Symphony in E minor, which combines many elements from the Middle Ages to the Romantic Period. The work before the interval was originally conceived as a fifth symphony, but eventually became a double concerto. The violin solo is played by Veronika Eberle on a 1693 Stradivarius, whose sound, according to a Bachtrack reviewer, "is like a warm sunbeam breaking through the clouds." Her partner is the multi-faceted legend and Gramophone Hall of Fame member, Steven Isserlis, "a cellist, writer, musical explorer and general enthusiast", as described by himself.
May 25 – 26
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
25 Saturday 7:45 p.m. Ormándy
26 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Fricsay, Széll
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No. 15 in G major, K. 124; Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219
Leoš Janáček Suite for String Orchestra, JW 6/2
Edvard Grieg Two Nordic Melodies, Op. 63
Suyoen Kim (violin) /concertmaster: János Pilz
The Concertino series, featuring works for chamber orchestra, this time launches a musical expedition to the north. The departure point will be Salzburg: on his return from his second trip to Italy, Mozart composed his Symphony No. 15 here, and it was here that he wrote his Violin Concerto No. 5, with which he bid farewell to the genre at the age of just under twenty as he gradually explored and pushed the limits of the violin concerto's scope and technique. Janáček's Suite for String Orchestra from the composer's early period will take us to Czechia. The final destination will be Norway: the BFO, led by János Pilz, will perform Grieg’s two melodies based on folk songs. The soloist for the evening is Berlin Konzerthausorchester's first concertmaster Suyoen Kim, whose Mozart playing is "full of charm, played with an alluring warmth of tone, a nice sense of scale and fluid melodic lines," according to The Strad.
November
25 Saturday 11:30 p.m.
Castle Garden Bazaar
Iván Fischer
March
24 Sunday 11:30 p.m.
Castle Garden Bazaar
Iván Fischer
May
10 Friday 11:30 p.m.
Castle Garden Bazaar
Iván Fischer
Will you come at midnight and listen to some classical music while lounging on a beanbag, just an arm’s length from the musicians?
This question might have sounded weird ten years ago but, thanks to the Budapest Festival Orchestra, Midnight Music has since become one of the best and most popular programs for those who have a keen interest in culture but don’t like the constraints at traditional concerts. There is no need to dress up, and these concerts won’t last for hours; instead, you can enjoy the friendly, relaxed atmosphere, made even more personable by Iván Fischer’s witty comments about the pieces being performed. A community event, a party instead of a party, a memorable experience – who said classical music was boring and rigid?
October
08 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Erika Illési
November
19 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Erika Illési
April
20 Saturday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Erika Illési
February
11 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Iván Fischer
May
12 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Iván Fischer
For almost a quarter of a century, the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s program series for children has brought a high-quality classical musical experience to the youngest. The orchestra’s rehearsal hall not only serves experimenting with the tiniest details of the symphonic pieces to be performed, or playing chamber music, but also as the venue for educating the next generation of classical music lovers. There is no better promotion of these events than the fact that several members of the BFO’s loyal audiences came to love music at these Cocoa Concerts, with a polka-dot mug in their hands. And nowadays, they bring their own kids. While listening to the performance of the orchestra’s excellent musicians in a cozy atmosphere, the audience will learn about the instruments of the symphony orchestra and concert etiquette in a playful and interactive manner. After the concert, the kids can have a mug of cocoa in the lobby. Since 2015, we have also offered an autism-friendly version of our Cocoa Concerts thanks to the contribution of Nemzetközi Cseperedő Alapítvány (an international foundation to support children and their families living with autism). In order to ensure that these children do not encounter anything unexpected during the concert, the BFO provides the families with some information material in advance to help them prepare the children for the visual and auditory stimuli.
As an innovative initiative, the Budapest Festival Orchestra hosts a biennial in-house competition for members of the ensemble, allowing the BFO’s musicians to take the stage as soloists from time to time. The competition is named after the violinist and conductor Sándor Végh, honoring his unwavering commitment to the notion that musicians must play as soloists, even as members of an orchestra.
Iván Fischer likes to emphasize that, in addition to orchestral music and chamber music, solo music is also a part of a wholesome life of a musician: “This is what they taught at college, and it is our goal to keep this ambition and this skill alive among the musicians of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. Performing as a soloist requires intense practice, and this also has a positive impact on the orchestra’s music.”
Participation in the competition is voluntary and is very popular among musicians of the BFO. We welcome members of the audience at the performances of the final round! With the addition of orchestral accompaniment, we incorporate the best performances in the line-up of BFO’s upcoming season to share them with the audience, which is always a tremendous experience for the musicians.
As violinist Emese Gulyás points out, “this competition inspires us to think beyond just the orchestral repertoire. It provides a new perspective and lends purpose which makes all the extra hours of practice worthwhile. When I stood on stage as a soloist, with the BFO behind me, using my own voice to speak to the audience, that moment was transformed for me into a celebration. It was life rewarding me.”
photo: Gábor
Máté
Teréz Iván-Vidovics is the mother of two boys living with autism. They have been frequent visitors of our Autism-friendly Cocoa Concerts. One time, the orchestra performed a piece which changed the younger boy’s life.
One of the Autism-friendly Cocoa Concerts of the Budapest Festival Orchestra included a dance cycle from Szék, performed by three outstanding musicians, István Kádár, András Szabó and Zsolt Fejérvári. My younger son listened to it with his mouth open: he was absolutely riveted by the performance. That night, talking about the concert, he said several times that he enjoyed the folk music part the most. Later, during the pandemic, when we were watching concerts online, he asked us to replay the folk music pieces over and over again. As a parent and a music therapist, I think it is very important for children to learn music. In Zsigi’s case, when the time came for him to choose an instrument, he made it very clear that he wanted to play the folk bass. This may have included a special, symbolic meaning, in that Zsigi, as the little brother, chose a large instrument, the double bass. He is now in his second year of playing the folk bass at the Óbuda Folk Music School. In addition to so many developmental benefits, learning music helps children with autism because their personal relationship with the music teacher is incredibly valuable to them, as is the experience of making music together.
I wanted to share our story so that the three musicians above might know how much they have helped us by piquing Zsigi’s interest in folk music, and what impact their music may have on the decisions, life or even career of a child.
BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Telemann, Beethoven, Moszkowski, Glinka
Georg Philipp Telemann
Trio Sonata in A minor, TWV 42:a6
(transcript by Gunter Carlier)
Gergely Csikota, trumpet
Tamás Póti, trumpet
Zoltán Szőke, horn
Balázs Szakszon, trombone
József Bazsinka, tuba
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Trio in G major, Op. 1, No. 2
István Kádár, violin
György Kertész, cello
Balázs Fülei, piano
Moritz Moszkowski
Suite for Two Violins
and Piano in G minor, Op. 71
Violetta Eckhardt, violin
Gyöngyvér Oláh, violin
Emese Mali, piano
Mikhail Glinka
Trio Pathétique
Roland Csalló, clarinet
Rita Sovány, cello
Dávid Báll, piano
BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Bach, Mozart, Kodály, Dohnányi
Johann Sebastian Bach
Passacaglia in C minor, BWV 582 (transcript by Attila Martos)
Péter Kostyál, violin
Emese Gulyás, violin
Zoltán Fekete, viola
Attila Martos, double bass
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quartet No. 14 in G major, K. 387
Ágnes Biró, violin
Pál Jász, violin
Gábor Sipos, viola
Rita Sovány, cello
Zoltán Kodály
Serenade for Two Violins and Viola, Op. 12
Zsófia Lezsák, violin
Antónia Bodó, violin
Csaba Gálfi, viola
Ernő Dohnányi
Piano Quintet No. 1 in C minor, Op. 1
Mária Gál-Tamási, violin
Anikó Mózes, violin
Erika Illési, viola
György Kertész, cello
Mária Kovalszki, piano
BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Boccherini, Mozart, Franck, Debussy, J. Strauss Jr.
Luigi Boccherini
Guitar Quintet No. 4 in D major
“Fandango”, G. 448
Anikó Mózes, violin
Gabriella Nagy, violin
Ágnes Csoma, viola
György Kertész, cello
Gábor Tokodi, guitar
László Herboly, percussions
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Quintet in
E-flat major, K. 452
Clara Dent-Bogányi, oboe
Rudolf Szitka, clarinet
Bence Bogányi, bassoon
Zoltán Szőke, horn
Gábor Farkas, piano
César Franck
Sonata in A major for
Violin and Piano, FWV 8
Erika Illési, violin
Dávid Báll, piano
Claude Debussy
Prélude à l'après-midi
d'un faune, L. 86
(transcript by Benno Sachs and Arnold Schönberg)
Gabriella Pivon, flute
Eva Neuszerova, oboe
Ákos Ács, clarinet
Violetta Eckhardt, violin
Balázs Bujtor, violin
Gábor Sipos, viola
Rita Sovány, cello
Zsolt Fejérvári, double bass
Ágnes Polónyi, harp
László Adrián Nagy, harmonium
Emese Mali, piano
Johann Strauss Jr.
Kaiser-Walzer, Op. 437
(transcript by Arnold Schönberg)
Violetta Eckhardt, violin
Balázs Bujtor, violin
Gábor Sipos, viola
Rita Sovány, cello
Gabriella Pivon, flute
Ákos Ács, clarinet
Emese Mali, piano
BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Martinů, Glière, Hindemith, Fibich
Bohuslav Martinů
Three Madrigals for
Violin and Viola, H. 313
István Kádár, violin
László Bolyki, viola
Reinhold Glière
String Octet in D major, Op. 5
Zsófia Lezsák, violin
Antónia Bodó, violin
Noémi Molnár, violin
Anikó Mózes, violin
Csaba Gálfi, viola
Krisztina Haják, viola
Gabriella Liptai, cello
Éva Eckhardt, cello
Paul Hindemith
Sonata for Tuba and Piano
József Bazsinka, tuba
Irina Ivanitskaya, piano
Zdeněk Fibich
Quintet in D major, Op. 42
Tímea Iván, violin
Gabriella Liptai, cello
Roland Csalló, clarinet
Zoltán Szőke, horn
Emese Mali, piano
BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Hindemith, Thuille, Milhaud, Ravel
Paul Hindemith
Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 11, No. 4
Csaba Gálfi, viola
Krisztina Melisko, piano
Ludwig Thuille
Sextet in B-flat major, Op. 6
Bernadett Nagy, flute
Clara Dent-Bogányi, oboe
Roland Csalló, clarinet
Dániel Tallián, bassoon
Zoltán Szőke, horn
László Adrián Nagy, piano
Darius Milhaud
Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 157b
Zsuzsanna Szlávik, violin
Roland Csalló, clarinet
Emese Mali, piano
Maurice Ravel
Piano Trio in A minor, M. 67
Tamás Major, violin
Péter Szabó, cello
István Lajkó, piano
November 18
BFO Rehearsal Hall, Saturday 5:00 p.m.
Márta, Penderecki, Antal, Henryson, Kadar, Jacobsen, Selmeczi
István Márta
… per quattro tromboni
Csaba Bence, trombone
Balázs Szakszon, trombone
Attila Sztán, trombone
Csaba Wagner, trombone
Krzysztof Penderecki
Clarinet Quartet
Rudolf Szitka, clarinet
János Pilz, violin
Ágnes Csoma, viola
György Kertész, cello
Mária Antal
N Harmony – River of Change
Ágnes Polónyi, harp
Emese Gulyás, violin
Gyöngyvér Oláh, violin
Erika Illési, viola
Gabriella Liptai, cello
Csaba Sipos, double bass
László Herboly, percussions
István Kurcsák, percussions
Svante Henryson
Suite Off Pist
Ákos Ács, clarinet
Rita Sovány, cello
Matthias Kadar
Solah
Gabriella Pivon, flute
Balázs Bujtor, violin
Violetta Eckhardt, violin
Gábor Sipos, viola
Rita Sovány, cello
Károly Kaszás, double bass
Julius Jacobsen
Tuba Buffo
József Bazsinka, tuba
Irina Ivanitskaya, piano
György Selmeczi
String Quartet No. 5
Ágnes Biró, violin
Noémi Molnár, violin
István Polónyi, viola
Lajos Dvorák, cello
BFO Rehearsal Hall, 5:00 p.m.
Praetorius, Merula, Biber, Montéclair, Handel, Sarro, Vivaldi
Michael Praetorius
Five French Dances from the compendium “Terpsichore” (transcript by Pia Bucher)
Csaba Bence, Baroque trombone
Balázs Szakszon, Baroque trombone
Attila Sztán barokk, Baroque trombone
Csaba Wagner, Baroque trombone
Tarquinio Merula
La Cattarina, Op. 12, No. 10
Gyöngyvér Oláh, Baroque violin
Emese Gulyás, Baroque violin
Csaba Sipos, Baroque double bass
Ágnes Polónyi, arpa doppia
László Herboly, percussions
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
Sonata No. 3 in F major, C. 140
János Pilz, Baroque violin
Orsolya Mód, Baroque cello
Judit Varga, harpsichord
Michel Pignolet de Montéclair
The Death of Dido – cantata
Katalin Károlyi, soprano
Gabriella Pivon, Baroque flute
Antónia Bodó, Baroque violin
Rita Sovány, viola da gamba
Soma Dinyés, harpsichord
George Frideric Handel
Trio Sonata in A major, HWV 396
Antónia Bodó, Baroque violin
Noémi Molnár, Baroque violin
Rita Sovány, Baroque cello
Igor Davidovics, lute
Soma Dinyés, harpsichord
Domenico Natale Sarro
Recorder Concerto in A minor
János Bali, recorder
Gyöngyvér Oláh, Baroque violin
Emese Gulyás, Baroque violin
Nikoletta Reinhardt, Baroque viola
György Kertész, Baroque cello
Igor Davidovics, lute
Dóra Pétery, harpsichord
Antonio Vivaldi
“In furore iustissimae irae”
– motet, RV 626
Éva Bodrogi, soprano
Gyöngyvér Oláh, Baroque violin
Emese Gulyás, Baroque violin
Nikoletta Reinhardt, Baroque viola
György Kertész, Baroque cello
Csaba Sipos, Baroque double bass
Gábor Tokodi, lute
Dóra Pétery, organ, harpsichord
photo: Gábor
Máté
Our 2011 tour of South America has remained very memorable for me, including our performance at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. As we started playing Stravinsky’s Tango, we pushed our music stands back a little, to make some space on the stage. Iván Fischer turned to the audience and asked if anyone felt like dancing the tango. After the laughter died down, no one stood up, because it was such an unexpected situation, and Stravinsky’s piece is also not one that evokes the Argentine tango. We had agreed with Iván ahead of time, however, that at a certain point, Zoli Fekete would set his viola aside, walk over to me and ask me to dance. We moved over to the space in front of the orchestra and began to dance, following the choreography taught by the renowned dancer Johanna Kulik. We were no professionals: we had to practice hard to prepare for this. (Since then, we have both become regulars at tango evenings – milongas –, which are so much fun.) The audience welcomed our performance enthusiastically from the first steps – it was a great success! It was all Iván’s idea: he heard us talking at the airport about how we both like dancing the tango, and are relatively good. This led to him suggesting that since we are headed to the home of the Argentine tango, we Hungarian musicians should show a little of it to the local audience.
In 2019, at Müpa Budapest and at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, we took the stage with an entirely new tango choreography.
Anything is possible on tour One of violinist Noémi Molnár’s favorite memories of the orchestra’s tours is when she joined her fellow musician, Zoltán Fekete, and debuted as a tango dancer to Argentinian audiences at a concert in Buenos Aires.
The color-coded dots indicate which season pass is valid for which concert.
Doráti
Solti
Reiner
Storytime with Iván
Ormándy
Fricsay
Kertész
Széll
September
02 Saturday
Heroes’ Square
Open-air concert
Fischer
09 Saturday 7:00 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Richter, Petibon, Fischer
Doráti
10 Sunday 7:00 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Richter, Petibon, Fischer
Reiner
12 Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Richter, Petibon, Fischer Solti
24 Sunday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Liszt, Bartók
Lisztes, Lazić, Eva Duda Dance Company, Fischer Doráti
26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Liszt, Bartók
Lisztes, Lazić, Eva Duda Dance Company, Fischer Solti
29 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach, Telemann
Sampson, Hara, Cohen, T’Hooft Ormándy
30 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach, Telemann
Sampson, Hara, Cohen, T’Hooft
Fricsay
October
08 Sunday 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Cocoa Concert
Illési
05 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Sunday Chamber Music
12 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach, Shostakovich, Schönberg
Bard, Pilz Fricsay
13 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach, Shostakovich, Schönberg
Bard, Pilz Ormándy
18 Saturday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Music of the Future –Contemporary Chamber Music
19 Sunday
2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Cocoa Concert
Illési
25 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff
Vinnitskaya, Fischer
Doráti Kertész
25 Saturday 11:30 p.m.
Castle Garden Bazaar
Midnight Music
Fischer
26 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff
Vinnitskaya, Fischer
Reiner Storytime with Iván
27 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff
Vinnitskaya, Fischer Solti
10 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Sunday Chamber Music
18 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
F. Scarlatti, Hasse, Telemann, Pisendel, Handel
Pierce, Podger, T’Hooft Ormándy
19 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
F. Scarlatti, Hasse, Telemann, Pisendel, Handel
Pierce, Podger, T’Hooft Kertész
26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Budapest Congress Center
Surprise Concert
Fischer
12 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Avni, Sibelius, Rachmaninoff
Kang, Shani
Solti
13 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Avni, Sibelius, Rachmaninoff
Kang, Shani
Doráti
14 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Avni, Sibelius, Rachmaninoff
Kang, Shani
Reiner
19 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Soltani, Korsten
Ormándy
20 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Soltani, Korsten
Kertész Széll
21 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Soltani, Korsten
Fricsay
28 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Back to Nature – Chamber Music on Period Instruments
Kertész
04 Sunday
Müpa, BBNCH
Müpa, Festival Theatre
Marathon
09 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms
Bronfman, Fischer
Doráti Kertész
10 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms
Bronfman, Fischer
Reiner Storytime with Iván
11 Sunday 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Cocoa Concert
Fischer
12 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms
Bronfman, Fischer Solti
28 Wednesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel, Dohnányi, Mendelssohn
Várjon, Martín Solti
29 Thursday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel, Dohnányi, Mendelssohn
Várjon, Martín Doráti
02 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel, Dohnányi, Mendelssohn
Várjon, Martín
Reiner Széll
08 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Bouchkov, Takács-Nagy
Ormándy
09 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Bouchkov, Takács-Nagy
Fricsay
10 Sunday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Bouchkov, Takács-Nagy
24 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus, Fischer
Reiner Storytime with Iván
24 Sunday 11:30 p.m.
Castle Garden Bazaar
Midnight Music
Fischer
25 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus, Fischer
Doráti
26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus, Fischer
Solti
07 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Sunday Chamber Music
12 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
Ormándy
13 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
Kertész Széll
14 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn, Mozart
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
Fricsay
20 Saturday 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Cocoa Concert
Illési
26 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür, Schumann, Sibelius
Järvi
Doráti Kertész
27 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür, Schumann, Sibelius
Järvi Reiner
29 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür, Schumann, Sibelius
Järvi Solti
05 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Sunday Chamber Music
10 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms
Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer
Doráti Széll
10 Friday 11:30 p.m.
Midnight Music
Castle Garden Bazaar
Fischer
11 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms
Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer
Storytime with Iván
12 Sunday
2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Cocoa Concert Fischer
14 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms
Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer Solti
25 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart, Janáček, Grieg
Kim, Pilz
Ormándy
26 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart, Janáček, Grieg
Kim, Pilz
Fricsay Széll
June
02 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Sunday Chamber Music
Experience exclusive concerts by the Budapest Festival Orchestra and many other of the most prestigious orchestras in the world. With exclusive streamed video content, behind the scenes action, and live performances, Symphony gives you a front row seat. Simply put: You can’t get any closer.
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Symphony Night Live concludes with original programming, Symphony Insiders, in which the hosts analyze some of the most important moments of the performance so that subscribers can expand their knowledge about the music.
In our exclusive documentary series, Symphony Legends, master storyteller Dominic Seldis dives deep into the stories behind the music, exploring some of the most legendary concerts, composers, conductors, and works.
Watch the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s Concerts only on Symphony.live
Mozart’s Double Piano Concerto
Haydn’s Symphony No. 39 & Mozart’s Symphony No. 38
Mahler’s Symphony No. 9
Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand & Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony
with Lucas & Arthur Jussen and Iván Fischer
with Gabor Takács-Nagy with Iván Fischer with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and Louis Langrée
photo: Gábor
Máté
Grandma was really into classical music. She learned to play the piano as a child and loved music throughout her life. She went to the very first concerts of the Budapest Festival Orchestra with my grandpa, and they also took my parents and us along. As the BFO had become increasingly famous and tickets were more and more expensive, we couldn’t go to all the concerts any more. And although grandma remained mentally sound right until her death at age 94, she left her home less and less often. During the pandemic, when we couldn’t go to concerts, the orchestra came up with the idea of the Serenade Concerts: small chamber ensembles performed to residents of apartment blocks, usually old buildings with an interior courtyard and hanging corridors. When I saw the invitation, I wrote to the orchestra that my grandmother would have her birthday in early June and I’d be delighted if they could come and surprise her in her home in central Budapest. Thanks to the kind organizers, it all went very smoothly. Grandma had no idea at all, and when she went out to the hanging corridor, the musicians were already standing in the courtyard. One of them said that there was someone there who would soon have her birthday – and the concert was particularly played to her. My grandmother was moved to tears while listening to the wonderful music and the greetings for her birthday. Sadly, she now listens to music as a member of the heavenly audiences. In the meantime, our children have also become regulars at the Cocoa Concerts, so now the fourth generation of our family is already attending the BFO’s concerts.
Birthday serenade Andrea Paiss made her music-loving grandmother, Magda Gárdonyi enormously happy when she organized a serenade concert by the Budapest Festival Orchestra for her 93rd birthday.
In the past almost forty years, the BFO and its audience have grown into a large, ever-expanding, music-loving family. Together, we experience the strength of the unity created through the years. The objective of our Community Weeks is to expand this family, while also providing our musicians with opportunities to show off their talents in new roles, in addition to making music in the orchestra.
There are many people in this country who are open to music, but distance and a lack of time prevent them from enjoying the BFO’s performances. We help them by bringing our free concerts to local churches. Twelve years ago we founded our Baroque ensemble, which plays on authentic period instruments. Their performances play a key role in both our regular season and our community work. And what could be more fitting for Baroque music than the spirituality, atmosphere and acoustics of a church? We started our concert series in the summer of 2014. Since then, we have visited Catholic, Calvinist and Lutheran communities. The first of these concerts was at the Lutheran church in Budapest’s Deák Square, and our subsequent nationwide tour has taken us from Pannonhalma to Berettyóújfalu to Villány, and even to the tiny Transylvanian village of Kaplony.
Since 2014, our Community Weeks have seen us perform in provincial synagogues that have been abandoned or that no longer serve their original purposes. The halls come to life again: melodies, stories and flavors can introduce local communities to the diversity and tolerance that were once so typical of Hungary. Our concerts feature works by composers with Jewish ties, as well as klezmer tunes. As Iván Fischer said, “synagogues still stand in many villages and small towns that have not had Jewish inhabitants for a long time. In some places they are in ruins, in others they have been turned into furniture stores or a gym. We visit these places, and give free concerts. People are curious, and the music entices them in. The orchestra plays, and afterwards a rabbi
speaks about how things used to be, about how cohabitation with the Jewish community once looked. With the beauty of our music and those stories, we hope to bring the memories of the former Jewish community closer to those who now live near the building.”
Music Castle
“Where music and stories touch: that is where the Music Castle begins.” (Erika Illési, violinist)
Every social class and age group is equally important to the orchestra, which is why, during Community Weeks, we visit child-care institutions in the farthest-flung corners of the country, as well as the elderly living in nursing homes. On these occasions, we bring with us the playful and interactive Music Castle program. We visit children who usually live under difficult circumstances and have often never even seen an instrument in real life, meaning they await the encounter with excitement and curiosity. Our job is to give them a lasting gift and to teach them how to experience the unity created through music. Previously, we have performed at venues such as SOS Children’s Villages, the Igazgyöngy Foundation in Told, the village of Cserdi in Baranya county and the International Pető Institute.
Golden Years
”It is a wonderful feeling to bring joy to elderly people with our music. We receive such incredibly sincere love and respect from them. This is an amazing source of strength for me.”
(Lajos Dvorák, cellist)
We always find that residents of nursing homes receive our concerts with heartfelt affection. They treat these occasions as a celebration. They read up on the compositions, don their best clothes and listen to the performance with unwavering attention. We visit them in their homes so that we may share the joy of music directly, without obstacles, in their own environment.
photo: Gábor
Máté
As season pass holders, my husband and I used to go to the BFO’s concerts for several years. We were not only fascinated by the professionalism of the musicians, but also impressed by Iván Fischer’s radiant personality. For example, once we saw him saying farewell to a retiring colleague. We watched how he communicated with the members of the orchestra. His entire personality reminds us of Kodály, he is so committed to introducing the joy of music to the whole country and taking music even to the most disadvantaged parts of society.
But the most important thing, of course, is how wonderfully they perform. We bought our season passes also in 2009, but unfortunately it turned out that my husband was gravely ill, so we didn’t dare to go to concerts. We sold the season passes, but I could feel that he was heartbroken. He loved concerts so much.
On the day of the first concert, he had this idea that no matter what, we shouldn’t miss the Budapest Festival Orchestra. We dressed up as if we were going to a concert, sat on the sofa in the living room, selected one of our CDs and solemnly listened to it. It was a great experience: although we couldn't be there, we still participated a little in the concert. My husband passed away in 2012, but this has been haunting me ever since. I don’t think Miklós would mind me telling you about it.
A real treat from home as well Kati and her husband were season pass holders until Miklós became ill. After that, they wouldn’t risk going to concerts any more, but managed to find a special solution which allowed them to be there in spirit.
access to BFO single tickets
digital membership card
BFO’s electronic newsletter for Patrons
to the closed, Hungarian-language Facebook group of BFO Patrons
at the BFO’s partners
% discount in the BFO webshop
Name listed in the BFO’s season brochure
to meet our musicians at exclusive gatherings
season pass or concert ticket booking by email
Opportunity to join the orchestra on international tours (includes discounted travel offers)
Invitation to Müpa Budapest’s VIP room during the intervals of certain concerts
Invitation to an exclusive dinner with music organised for the Benefactors
A BFO CD signed by Iván Fischer
Waiting list for fully booked concerts
Fellow
Discounts on services at Aria Hotel Budapest
Personal concert ticket bookings, season pass changes within the same concert block, concierge service
Invitation to the annual Benefactor+ event with music
Informal coffee and chat with the BFO’s musicians and staff before a concert (once a year)
Invitation to an exclusive reception of the BFO
Invitation to an after-concert champagne reception with the Music Director (events per year)
The BFO reserves the right to make occasional changes to or cancel specific club membership benefits. Due to circumstances beyond the BFO’s control, the full range of club membership benefits may not be available at some performances.
BFO Patrons In addition to world-class musical experiences, our patrons can enjoy a wide range of benefits including season pass early purchase, visits to open rehearsals, club events and excursions, private dinners and gatherings, participation in tours, meeting our musicians and Iván Fischer in person, and VIP services. Become a member of the BFO’s happy family!
Annual membership fees:
Let us introduce the ambassadors of BFO Patrons, our loyal friends, who have not only been supporting the Budapest Festival Orchestra for several years but are also committed to help us with their expertise and advice.
As Iván Fischer puts it, BFO Patrons are the happiest family in Hungary. Our ambassadors are dedicated to extending the circle of BFO Patrons continuously and offering them fascinating events and musical programs. They help BFO Patrons to get to know each other while representing our orchestra all over the world.
You will surely find some friends among other Patrons. Come and join BFO Patrons and be a member of this happy family, enjoying the benefits provided, from early-bird offers, to concert intervals spent in the VIP room, to joining tours and exclusive events.
I don't think I've ever felt the Budapest Festival Orchestra's mission to be as important and worthy of support as I do today. At a time when wars, racism and barbarism are spreading, it is crucial to have institutions that keep Hungarian and European high culture alive. The BFO has been championing this cause since it was established, with its moving and beautiful concerts and diverse educational programs both at home and around the world. I am proud to be their ambassador.
Andrea RényiWhat does the BFO mean to me? The most memorable concerts, catharsis and humor, musical discoveries, fabulous cities, beautiful concert halls, joint celebrations, great company, and friends. It’s great to belong here, and now we even have an award confirming that this is one of the best clubs in the world! Miklós Marschall
I admire the Budapest Festival Orchestra since they not only regularly stun audiences in the concert halls, but, through their world-class performances and programs, also manage to bring classical music to as wide an audience as possible, across different generations. And they do all this without compromises, bringing joy and unforgettable experiences to a huge number of people in Hungary and all over the world.
Andrea DénesMusic is playing a game, and playing will only be good if everybody can participate. The BFO understands this perfectly and tries to bring music to every corner of the country. As a supporter, I am delighted and proud that the Budapest Festival Orchestra has invited us young people to be part of the game, no matter where we come from.
Gábor MogyorósTwenty-five years ago, we went to a Cocoa Concert with my husband and older son. Whenever it comes to Iván Fischer and the orchestra, my husband will still mention the flageolet, which Iván explained to kindergarten-aged children, the concertgoers of the future, with his subtle humor, but in a very serious manner. I think one of the most important and successful missions of the orchestra has been inspiring new generations to enjoy music. That’s one of the reasons why I gladly support the BFO.
Csilla MartinGold
Yosef Salamon
Sylvia Tóth
Walter Katalin
Silver
bpv Jádi Attorneys at Law
Alan Gemes
Bernhard Hulla
Illés Gábor
Kiss Viktor dr.
Máté-Tóth István dr.
Simor András
Szecskay Law Firm
Vámos György dr.
Bronze
Bach György
Bojár Gábor and wife
Zanker Zsuzsanna dr.
Élő Nóra
Göcző József and Göczőné Magyar Andrea
Gold benefactors
Bottka Erzsébet dr. and Feldmájer Péter dr.
םהרבא ןב קחצי רזעילא
Juhász Zoltán instrument maker
Nicholas Kabcenell and Gudor Orsolya
Martin Csilla and Dale Martin
Meinczinger-Krug Zsuzsanna and Krug Armin
Mosonyi Ágnes
Oszkai Rita
Rényi Andrea and Straub Elek
Szelényi Iván
Silver benefactors
Balázs Árpád and Dénes Andrea
Biró Ágnes
Bognár Péter – Vaya Travel Ltd.
Richard Brasher
Bródy Péter dr. and Bródy Ildikó
Csépe Valéria dr. and Molnár Imre
Csík Gabriella dr. and Hudecz Ferenc dr.
Egervári Gábor dr.
Eliason James and Maria
John Farago
Garai Ferenc and
Kárpát Krisztina
György Pál dr. and Simon Ágnes
Istenesné Solti Andrea
Kertész Gabriella dr., notary
Kohlrusz Milán and Szabó Dária
Köves Ildikó and Sparing László
Lányi Zoltán dr., lawyer
Lengyel Péter
Marschall Miklós
Mészáros János and Mészárosné dr. Bende Hedvig Mária
Nyitrai István
SBGK Law Firm, Szamosi Katalin dr.
Sólyom Éva dr.
Steiner Zsuzsa and László
David and Petra Thompson
Varga Ildikó dr.
Varga Júlia
Varsányi Katalin and Pál
Zsámboki Gabriella dr.
Bronze benefactors
Bacher Gusztáv
Bakró-Nagy Marianne
Barna Judit dr.
Berger Györgyné
Boros István
Burger Balogh Ingeborg and Balogh Tibor
Dögei Anna
Esztervári Adrienn dr.
Göncz Kinga and Benedek László dr.
Greenwell Zsuzsa and Rod
György István
Hanák Gábor
Hancz László and Mester Éva
Holéci József
Horváth Jánosné dr. and
Fekete István
Huebner Korab Suzanne and
Charles A. Huebner dr.
Jalsovszky Pál dr.
Kalmár György
Kelemenné dr. Visky Katalin
Király Éva
Király Júlia
Kobela Mihály dr. and Balogh Anikó
Kószó József – 4D Építész Stúdió
Kökény Mihály dr. and Stiller Mária
Lantos István dr.
László András
– Professional Medical Ltd.
Leposa Csilla and Székely Zoltán
Madách Zsuzsánna
Mártonfi Attila
Márványi Katalin
Milottáné dr. Lázár Judit
Mogyorós Gábor
Molnár Erzsébet dr.
Molnár Gábor dr.
Poremba Andrea
Romsics Viktor dr. –Romsics Ügyvédi Iroda
Sáfár László dr.
Simon Tibor
Soltész + Soltész Ltd.
Surányi Sándor and Sándorné
Szántó Csaba
Szarvas László – Dundus 2001 Ltd.
Szauer Péter
Szegvári Mária dr.
Székely Éva and Balázs Lajos
Tárnok Gyöngyi
Török Zoltán dr.
Tóth Gábor and wife
Vihar Judit dr.
Votin Elek
Zsidai Ilona and 2 anonymous patrons
Gold supporters
Bakonyi Árpád Móric dr. and wife
Bánáti Mária
Barta Pál
Batta Mária
Bittner Péterné
Csillag György dr.
Eisler Péter dr.
Falus András dr.
Felkai Tamás
Füredi Gábor
Gala Tours
Garics Zoltánné
Herczeg Ferenc
Hollós Sándor dr.
Hőnig Gábor
Juvancz Beáta
Kádi Anna
Kocsány János
Kőszegi László
Lantos Mihály and Berkes Zsuzsanna dr.
Liliom Károly
Mosonyi Anna Mária dr.
Németvölgyi Ágnes
Paksy László dr.
Pálfia Judit dr.
Sápi Lajosné
Somogyi Éva and Horváth László
Somos Marianne dr. and Balogh István dr.
Spohn Ferenc
Szabados Igor
Székely Zsófia
Szever Zsuzsanna dr. and
Dalos Mihály
Szigeti Éva dr.
Tanos Zsuzsa
Török Ilona
Vajda János and Radnai Mónika and 3 anonymous patrons
Silver supporters
Agócs Ágnes
Albáné dr. Feldmájer Lívia and Alba Mesulam
Alföldi István
Ambrus Ágnes dr.
Bálint Péter
Barczikay László
Barta Éva
Benedek Andor
Benedek János
Bérczi Gábor
Berényi Gábor and Pető Katalin dr.
Bertalan Éva dr.
Boda Zsuzsanna
Bokor László and Simó Judit
Bozsik Balázs
Böszörményi Katalin dr.
Csanádi Judit
Csernay László dr.
Csomós András
Dévai Tibor and wife
Dezsényi Péter
Doleschall György and Szabó Katalin
Dornbach Alajosné
Drexler Miklós
Dús Ernő
Farkas Ágnes
Farkas Gábor
Feldmájer Ágnes and Sándor
Feldmájer Máté
Földényi Éva
Gács Gábor
Galambos Imréné dr.
Gálosi György
Garai Anikó
Gerő Katalin dr.
Gordon Pál
Greiner Ákos
Gyöngy István
Halász Anna
Halász Gábor dr.
Hammersberg Elemér dr.
Hegyes Erzsébet dr. and
Szolnoki Gábor
Hervai Péter dr.
Horváth Anna
Horváth István dr.
Horváth László
Horváthné Szakonyi Mirella
Jáger Gyula
Jenei Gábor
Jenes Katalin
Kabódi Erzsébet
Kabódi Ferenc
Kabódi Mátyás
Kálmándy Zoltán
Keviczky László
Kiss Attila
Kiss Erzsébet
Klinga Ágnes
Komlósi Zsolt dr. and
Komlósi Júlia
Kökény Veronika
Ladányi Viktória
Lázár József
Lebhardt Imre and Zsuzsa
Lövenberg Gábor and Radó Julianna dr.
Makai Katalin dr. and
Ungár János
Malatinszky István
Markovich György dr.
Márton János
Matskási István dr.
Nyárádiné dr. Szabady Judit
Ottó Mária
Palotai János and Soltész Anikó dr.
Patkós Katalin
Patyánik Mihály dr.
Péley Bernadette dr. and
K. Németh Margit
Pelle Gáborné
Petur Márta
Pirityi Katalin
Prágai Éva
R. Fehér Gabriella
Rónai Tiborné
Reich Tamás – Cash Back Hungary Ltd.
Révai Péter dr.
Rimanóczy Zoltán
Sik Endre and the grandchildren
Sitkei Éva dr.
Sivó Róbert
Szabó Klári
Szabó Rita dr.
Szent-Martoni Mária
Tátrai Zsuzsanna
Tihanyi Ferenc
Timmermann Péter
Tokaji Nagy Erzsébet
Tolcsvai Rózsa
Torma Kálmán
Tóth Katalin
Tóth Kinga
Tóth Mihály and wife
Török Imre
Valis Éva Márta
Váradi János
Varga Péter
Várkonyi Vera dr.
Vaszkó Márta
Veress Mariann
Vígh János
Wilhelm Peter
Zeidler Gerdné and 6 anonymous patrons
Bronze supporters
Ábrahám Zoltán
Alaxai Rózsa
Alföldy Zoltánné
Almási Józsefné dr.
Andrási Andor and Pusztai Éva
Apáthy István
Ármay Zsuzsanna
Árvay Jánosné
Bakainé Kisfügedi Tünde
Bálint Ferencné
Balogh Edit
Banai Endréné dr.
Baranyi Éva dr.
Bárd Anna
Barsi Gusztáv dr.
Beck Éva
Bein Klára
Berecz József
Biksz Péter
Bitter Brunó
Bogdán Istvánné
Bognár Béla dr.
Bölöni Eszter
Bumberák József dr.
Csák Gábor
Csillag Beáta
Csillag István
Csuhai Csinos Klára
Csurgó Dénes
Danziger György dr.
Deák Ágnes
Deák János
Dénes Vera
Ditrói Márta
Dobos Erika
Ehardt György
Erdős Erzsébet dr.
Fáberné Fejes Katalin and Fáber András
Fábián András
Falus Péter
Faragóné Ható Katalin
Feldmájer Györgyi and Benedek Zsolt
Félegyházi Pál
Félix László
Földes Iván dr. and Zsuzsa
Francsicsné dr. Czinege Erzsébet
Gadzsokova Kraszimira
Gál Mátyásné
Gál Nóra dr.
Gallasz József
Genti György dr.
Gerő Judit
Gervai Judit dr.
Gidáli Júlia dr.
Görgényi Judit
Guti Péter
Gyarmati Béla
Gyulai András
Gyulai József dr.
Halász Péterné
Halmos Judit and
Magyar Mihály
Hárdi Lilla dr.
Harsányiné Séllyei Ágnes
Havas István dr.
Havas Katalin
Hegedűs Andrásné
Hegyközi Ilona
Heller Judit
Hetényi Ágnes
Horváth István dr.
Inkei Péter
Jakob Károly
Jankó Béla
Jászberényi Hanna
Jurák Eszter
Kálmán Istvánné dr.
Kappelné Haraszty Noémi
Kardos István
Kárpáti András
Kárpáti Margit
Kele Enikő and Szilágyi Simon
Kelemen Zsolt
Kerékgyártó Kálmán
Kerényi Gyula
Kertész Zsuzsanna dr.
Keve Károly
Kis Ádám
Kiss Lászlóné
Kneisz Ferenc
Komáromy Péter dr. and Pollák Katalin dr.
Kondor András
Kónya Katalin dr.
Korodi Mihály and Magyar Zsuzsanna
Kósa Jánosné
Koszorú Lajos
Kovács Zsuzsanna
Kovács Zsuzsanna dr.
Kő István dr.
Kriston József dr.
Láner Judit
Lantos Gáborné dr.
László Attila
László Enikő
Lendvayné Győrik Gabriella
Lovas Jánosné
Maár Judit dr. and
Krokovay Zsolt dr.
Máté András
Medveczky–Szilágyi házaspár
Meitner Tamás
Meleghegyi Józsefné
Mészáros Sándorné
Mezei Katalin
Mohácsi Endréné
Molnár Gáborné
Muth János
Nagy Ákos
Nagy Boldizsár
Nagy Ervinné
Nagy Gábor
Nagy István
Nagy Károly
Németh Zsófia
Novák József György
Pallag Tibor
Pálné Kutasi Éva and Banász Andrásné
Palotai Valéria
Pankotai Csaba
Pankotainé Lux Margit
Pável Iván dr.
Pavluska Valéria, dr.
Pernesz Péterné
Petrucz György
Pongó Judit
Rácz Zsuzsanna
Ráduly-Kiss Sarolta Ilona
Ratkó Ilona
Révész Gábor
Rózsa Gyula
Rudas Jánosné
Rutkai Ágnes
Sáfár Judit
Schaffler György
Sikóné dr. Horváth Ágnes
Sisák Ilona
Soltész András
Solti series Circle of Friends
(Inzelt Annamária dr., Sántha Veronika, Sáska Géza, Wollák Katalin and Laki Mihály)
Süveges Márta dr.
Szabó Márta
Szabó Piroska dr. and
Oláh Ruben dr.
Szabóné Farkas Anikó
Szekeres Sándorné
Szentesi Péter dr. and Ratkóczi Éva
Szilágyi Péter
Sziráki Edit
Szőke Helga and András
Szőke Marianna
Szőnyi Péterné dr.
Sztrinkai László dr.
Tóth Anikó dr.
Törökné Halász Zsuzsanna
Ujvári Tibor
Ungár Péter
Vajda Julianna dr.
Váradi Julianna
Varga Pál
Varga Veronika
Várnai Magdolna and Kajtár István dr.
Vass Gabriella
Vassné Mátyók Tinka
Végh András
Végh Anna
Veress Mariann
Vicsi Klára
Vidák Jánosné
Volenszky Paula
Wéber László and Arányi Zsuzsanna dr.
Zelczerné Déri Erzsébet
Zoltai Józsefné dr. and 22 anonymous patrons
Common causes Our community and youth programs are free of charge, to ensure that even those who cannot make it to the concert halls can enjoy them. Our patrons’ donations are essential for our mission – thanks to them, we bring the magic of music to thousands of people each year. If supporting Hungarian culture and community initiatives lies close to your heart, please donate to help the BFO’s operations!
Support the BFO by donating 1 % of your tax. It is the mission of our globally unrivalled musical education program to make listening to and playing music accessible to all young people. Donations received through 1 % income tax contributions this year will go toward implementing our musical education programs. The Budapest Festival Orchestra Foundation’s tax number is 18005488-2-41.
Transcendental music Leave a legacy! The Budapest Festival Orchestra is the orchestra of the future. By including our orchestra in your will, you can ensure the survival of classical music and the BFO for the next generations. With your responsible and generous help, we can improve our musical, education and training programs and build the future together. If you have any questions, please contact our colleague, Zsuzsanna Deák, directly at the following email address: tamogatoiklub@bfz.hu.
“Why did I include the Budapest Festival Orchestra in my will? It’s simple: I have no official heir or family. I was wondering what should happen to what I leave behind. It’s not a fortune, though. What has brought me so much joy in my old age and occasional loneliness? Classical music. It has helped me through hard times and always touched my soul. So eventually, the only thing that came into my mind was my favorite orchestra,” our testator wrote.
The Budapest Festival Orchestra Fundraising Ball is one of the most festive events of the concert season, where we can spend an evening of music, dancing and uplifting experiences together with our friends and supporters. Iván Fischer will be the host for the event, while the BFO’s innovative ensembles will guarantee a boisterous party atmosphere.
Come and join us, not only for a fantastic evening, but also to support Hungary’s cultural advancement. If you would like to attend the ball, please visit www.bfo.hu or contact Zsuzsanna Deák
(tamogatoiklub@bfz.hu, +36 1 882 7671). Our next ball takes place on February 3, 2024.
“The joy of music helps us forget the pain and overcome difficulties; it heals and inspires. It is an element of festivities, relaxation and me-time in today's hectic world. The BFO is committed to ensure that as many people as possible can experience this feeling, regardless of their geographical or financial situation, education or age. Our guests at our fundraising ball will be able to contribute to this mission while enjoying extraordinary events and having amazing experiences during a special night.”
Orsolya Erdődy, the BFO’s Managing Director“The desire to belong somewhere has never been as strong as these days. A milieu, a bunch of people, similar values and ideas, to be understood by others. This is exactly what this orchestra, this ball, this auction offers – and that’s why I love them, too.”
Nóra Winkler, Partner of the BFO’s charity auctions
photo: Gábor
Máté
she strives to share her love of classical music with her daughters. The BFO is present in their home, but not only through music and melodies: they enjoy using the signature paper chairs of the BFO’s outdoor concerts as quaint pieces of furniture in their home.
My family gets its love of classical music from my mother. Regular visits to concerts, theater performances and the opera were a part of our lives until I was a young adult. Together with my mother, we have attended a number of the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s outdoor concerts in Heroes’ Square, and we always managed to get some paper chairs. We enjoy using them to this day!
I now have two daughters of my own: the older one is four and a half, and she just loves music. We have season passes to the Cocoa Concerts, and Bojána is there for each performance either with my mother or with me. And she loves it! I know that we will have her along for the next outdoor concert.
Our kids also love the paper chairs: they can just reach the table from them when sitting down to draw or play with playdough. When we’re getting ready for the Cocoa Concert, Bojána picks out her prettiest dress and sits on the paper chair while I comb her hair. Because these are special occasions, she also gets a little kids’ make-up on her face to be all fancy.
For Edina Gyenes’s family, classical music has always been important;
Just as there is a cohesive community and a series of collaborative initiatives behind the successes of the BFO, connections and real linkages are also there in the corporate sector, helping companies build and achieve their targets, even when the going gets tough. The fact that the BFO was voted Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year in 2022 shows the power of our audiences! This year, we celebrate the fortieth birthday of our orchestra, and we look forward to enjoying our successes, our joys and the benefits stemming from these, together with our audiences, supporters and partners.
We hope to welcome you as one of our corporate partners. Be a key part of the jubilee season and our international success! If your company aims at outstanding quality and constant renewal, and openness and social sensitivity are also crucial, then we share the same values. So why not share some common goals, too?
AutoWallis Group, a car company on the Budapest Stock Exchange, believes it is important to represent traditional values irrespective of borders. We are delighted to be accompanying the forty-year-old Budapest Festival Orchestra on their classical journey, and we wish them great success in the next four decades!
Gábor Ormosy, CEO, AutoWallis
With our corporate partnership program, the BFO’s global and Hungarian partners may establish new business relationships, utilize unique and customtailored marketing tools to boost their brands, and share in the joy and catharsis offered by our concerts including the opportunity to motivate their employees and clients. By helping maintain our community programs in the long-term, they can join a range of companies contributing to social well-being.
Corporate social responsibility Thanks to corporate donations, we bring the joy of music to thousands of people around the country and help introduce children to music. Our community programs and musical education programs may be incorporated into corporate social responsibility initiatives, helping us build a future together where classical music is accessible to all.
How to donate? We welcome donations of money, products or services to support our operations. For support provided on the basis of a one-time donation agreement, the donor company may reduce its corporate tax base by 20 percent of the amount of the donation; for support provided under a long-term (min. 4 years) donation agreement, the company may reduce its corporate tax base by 40 percent of the donation.
The Budapest Festival Orchestra’s concerts enchant me: I often experience wonderful moments of perfection. Iván Fischer’s attitude of testing the boundaries is a valuable model of “thinking outside the box,” which is something every company leader needs in order to manage challenges.
Zoltán Gazsi, corporate ambassador of the BFO
We offer a number of services as part of our corporate partnership program, helping you and your company realize your goals despite various business challenges.
Become a sponsor of a particular BFO concert type as part of a year-long complex marketing collaboration program tailored to your company purposes!
You have the option to place advertisements in our online and print publications, or place your brand or present your company at our concerts; we also offer online communications collaboration options on our social media platforms, or placement of your brand, products or offers in the BFO’s newsletter etc.
We offer our partners opportunities to visit rehearsals; unforgettable concert experiences; gift certificates; backstage visits; exclusive receptions at our concerts; participation in company development programs.
Add exclusive musical experiences to your company’s VIP events or business receptions, or book a dedicated table for your company at our annual fundraising ball.
To learn more about current placement opportunities, or to support the Budapest Festival Orchestra with a donation, please reach out to BFO corporate relations manager Flóra Petneházy by calling +36 70 908 0752 or at the email address flora.petnehazy@bfz.hu.
Principal partners
The financial stability of the BFO is guaranteed by the Hungarian Government and the Municipality of Budapest
Strategic partners
Supporting partners
Event partners
Media partners
Visit the BFO webshop to surround yourself with the atmosphere of your favorite orchestra outside our concerts. bfz.shop.hu
Brahms:
Symphony No. 3, Serenade No. 2
Canvas pouch with Mahler's silhouette
Antibacterial flask with cheerful instruments
Cup with Mahler's silhouette
Metal flask with a violin motif
Notebook with French horn design
Bíró András for BFO: Trumpet medal
Király Fanni for BFO: Small dot necklace
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9
Lázár Veró for BFO: Jewelry with dots
Black & White and trumpet-patterned tea towels
Musical cookie cutters
photo: Gábor
Máté
Midnight date Alex Horváth and his wife, Petra Köves, will always remember a Midnight Music concert as their first real date. That evening of music led to a life together, and the couple are now the parents of two beautiful children.
I should mention that I was familiar with the Budapest Festival Orchestra already before meeting my wife;
I had been to several of their concerts. I also make music: I play the piano and the cello, and we sometimes play chamber music with friends. My wife plays the guitar. Shortly after we met – which was at a wine festival in the City Park – I was looking at what activity to choose for ourselves the following weekend. That was how I came across a Midnight Music concert in the Castle Garden Bazaar.
I took Petra there, and in fact that was where we took our first photo together, sitting on the floor, waiting to be admitted. We then found a spot and a beanbag, too. I remember sharing one beanbag, the two of us curled up comfortably together for the entire concert. The orchestra was playing Mahler. We loved it. We were married three and a half years ago, and since that concert, we have two children.
Visit the website bfo.hu or contact us by email at rendeles@bfz.hu to learn about the launch of season pass and single ticket sales. BFO Patrons have the option of purchasing tickets early.
Season passes and tickets for the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s events may be purchased through our website bfo.hu by bank card or SZÉP card. There is no handling fee for online purchases.
When purchasing your season pass or ticket online, you will receive an e-season pass or e-ticket (in PDF format). E-season passes are fully valid electronic season passes that give you access to all the performances included in your season pass. E-tickets are fully valid electronic tickets.
To protect the environment, instead of printing out your e-season pass or e-ticket, please save the PDF email attachment to your telephone and present it at the venues. If this is not possible, print your e-season pass or e-ticket and present it as hard-copy.
If you would like to exchange your electronic pass for a paper pass, please inform us at the email address rendeles@bfz.hu. You may also make the same request in person at the BFO ticket office by August 31, 2023.
BFO ticket office
H-1034 Budapest, Bécsi út 126. (Kiscelli Office Building, ground floor)
In-person purchases and pick-up of orders:
Weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
We accept cash, credit/debit card, SZÉP card, and OTP Cafeteria Card.
Season passes and concert tickets can also be purchased through the nationwide network of Interticket offices, and from the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s special vendors at:
• Rózsavölgyi Szalon Arts & Café
H-1052 Budapest, Szervita tér 5., phone: +36 1 266 8337
Rózsavölgyi Szalon Arts & Café is a preferred ticket vendor for the BFO.
• Müpa Budapest ticket office
H-1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell utca 1., phone: +36 1 555 3300
H-1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 15., phone: +36 1 555 3310, +36 1 555 3311
• Liszt Academy ticket office
H-1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8., phone: +36 1 321 0690
Flexible season pass When single tickets go on sale, you may also buy flexible season passes, allowing you to choose the 5 to 10 performances you want to see. Included is a discount of 15 –20 % compared to the price of single tickets. The discount is applied when purchasing your tickets in the same transaction.
Guests in wheelchairs Subject to the availability of seats, visitors in wheelchairs may request a free ticket by sending an email to rendeles@bfz.hu. Companions are entitled to a 50 % discount.
Payment by installments You may purchase your season passes in two installments; in this case, a handling fee of 5 % of the total sales price will be charged. You will receive your season pass upon payment of the second installment. The deadline for making the payment is August 31, 2023. Payment by installments may only be requested in person at the BFO’s office.
Fricsay family season pass Purchase a Fricsay season pass and children will receive 50 % off. The discount is only available on season pass purchases for two adults and at least one child. To receive the discount, please visit the BFO’s offices and present the child(ren)’s ID card(s).
Gift card Our orchestra offers gift cards in values of HUF 5,000, 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000, which make a perfect present for any occasion. Gift cards may be used to purchase Budapest Festival Orchestra season passes and tickets for any concert, up to the value indicated on the card, and remain valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. The gift cards purchased online or at our ticket office may be used for purchases online or in person at the BFO ticket office. The cards may only be paid for in cash or by bank card; however, if the price of the season pass or ticket selected exceeds the value available on the gift card upon redeeming it, the difference may be settled in cash, by bank card or by SZÉP card as well.
Jubilee season pass: including all performances in Müpa Budapest
9 concerts
+ bonus concert:
November 18, 2023 or January 28, 2024 or a concert of the Sunday Chamber Music series
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 128,000
II category: HUF 91,000
III. category: HUF 83,000
IV. category: HUF 59,500
V. category: HUF 48,000
VI. category: HUF 30,500
September 09 Saturday 7:00 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Richter, Petibon, Fischer
September 24 Sunday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in D minor, S. 359, No. 2;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz. 73, BB 82
Lisztes, Lazić, Eva Duda Dance Company, Fischer
November 25 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18;
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Vinnitskaya, Fischer
January 13 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Avni: Prayer for String Orchestra
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic
Dances, Op. 45
Kang, Shani
February 09 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 10; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83;
Hungarian Dance No. 7;
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Bronfman, Fischer
February 29 Thursday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D major (“Reformation”), Op. 107
Várjon, Martín
March 25 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Bach: St. Matthew Passion and other passion stories
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus Mixed Choir, Fischer
April 26 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür: Aditus
Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major (“Spring”), Op. 38
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82
Järvi
May 10 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 21; Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102;
Hungarian Dance No. 14;
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer
Jubilee season pass: including all performances in Müpa Budapest
9 concerts
+ bonus concert:
November 18, 2023 or January 28, 2024 or a concert of the Sunday Chamber Music series
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 128,000
II category: HUF 91,000
III. category: HUF 83,000
IV. category: HUF 59,500
V. category: HUF 48,000
VI. category: HUF 30,500
September 12 Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Richter, Petibon, Fischer
September 26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in D minor, S. 359, No. 2;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125
Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin, Sz 73, BB 82
Lisztes, Lazić, Eva Duda Dance Company, Fischer
November 27 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18;
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Vinnitskaya, Fischer
January 12 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Avni: Prayer for String Orchestra
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic
Dances, Op. 45
Kang, Shani
February 12 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 10; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83; Hungarian Dance No. 7; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Bronfman, Fischer
February 28 Wednesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D major (“Reformation”), Op. 107
Várjon, Martín
March 26 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Bach: St. Matthew Passion and other passion stories
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus Mixed Choir, Fischer
April 29 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür: Aditus
Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major (“Spring”), Op. 38
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82
Järvi
May 14 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 21; Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102; Hungarian Dance No. 14; Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer
Performances only in Müpa Budapest 7 concerts + bonus concert:
November 18, 2023 or January 28, 2024 or a concert of the Sunday Chamber Music series
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 100,500
II category: HUF 71,500
III. category: HUF 65,500
IV. category: HUF 47,000
V. category: HUF 38,000
VI. category: HUF 24,500
September 10 Sunday 7:00 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande
Richter, Petibon, Fischer
November 26 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18;
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Vinnitskaya, Fischer
January 14 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Avni: Prayer for String Orchestra
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
Kang, Shani
February 10 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 10; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83; Hungarian Dance No. 7; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Bronfman, Fischer
March 02 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D major (“Reformation”), Op. 107
Várjon, Martín
March 24 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Bach: St. Matthew Passion and other passion stories
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus Mixed Choir, Fischer
April 27 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür: Aditus
Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major (“Spring”), Op. 38
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82
Järvi
I. category: HUF 74,000
II category: HUF 52,000
III. category: HUF 47,200
IV. category: HUF 33,200
V. category: HUF 26,400
VI. category: HUF 16,000
November 26 Sunday 3:30 p.m. Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18;
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 Vinnitskaya, Fischer
February 10 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 10; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83;
Hungarian Dance No. 7; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Bronfman, Fischer
March 24 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Compassion
Bach: St. Matthew Passion and other passion stories
Harvey, Elbert, Cantemus Mixed Choir, Fischer
May 11 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 21; Double Concerto for Violin and Cello in A minor, Op. 102;
Hungarian Dance No. 14;
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98 Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer
Jubilee season pass: including all performances at the Liszt Academy
6 concerts + bonus concert:
May 25, 2024
PRICES
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 77,000
II category: HUF 58,000
III. category: HUF 50,000
IV. category: HUF 34,500
V. category: HUF 28,000
VI. category: HUF 21,000
September 29 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51
Telemann: Ouverture-suite in B-flat major (“Nations”), TWV 55:B5
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
Telemann: Ino – dramatic cantata, TWV 20:41
Sampson, Hara, Cohen, T’Hooft
November 13 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV 1066
Shostakovich: Violin Sonata, Op. 134
Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4
Bard, Pilz
december 18 Monday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
F. Scarlatti: Concerto in F major, S 1187, No. 3
Hasse: “Se mai turbo il tuo riposo” – aria from Cleofide
Telemann: Concerto for Recorder and Bassoon in F major, TWV 52:F1
Pisendel: Violin Concerto in G minor, JunP I.1
Hasse: Sinfonia in G minor, Op. 5, No. 6
Handel: Il delirio amoroso
– cantata, HWV 99 (“Da quel giorno fatale”), HWV 99
Pierce, Podger, T’Hooft
January 19 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 16 in C major, K. 128
Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb:2; Symphony No. 20 in C major, Hob. I:20
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major (“Haffner”), K. 385
Soltani, Korsten
March 08 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn: Symphony No. 85 in B-flat major (“The Queen”), Hob. I:85
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216;
Serenade No. 5 in D major, K. 204
Bouchkov, Takács-Nagy
April 12 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn: Symphony No. 86 in D major, Hob. I:86
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466;
Serenade No. 9 in D major (“Posthorn”), K. 320
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
Bonus concert:
May 25 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 15
in G major, K. 124;
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219
Janáček: Suite for String
Orchestra, JW VI/2
Grieg: Two Nordic Melodies, Op. 63
Kim, Pilz
Performances only at the Liszt Academy
5 concerts + bonus concert:
May 26, 2024
PRICES
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 66,000
II category: HUF 49,500
III. category: HUF 43,000
IV. category: HUF 29,500
V. category: HUF 24,000
VI. category: HUF 18,000
September 30 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51
Telemann: Ouverture-suite in B-flat major (“Nations”), TWV 55:B5
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047
Telemann: Ino – dramatic cantata, TWV 20:41
Sampson, Hara, Cohen, T’Hooft
November 12 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV 1066
Shostakovich: Violin Sonata, Op. 134
Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4 Bard, Pilz
January 21 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 16 in C major, K. 128
Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb:2; Symphony No. 20 in C major, Hob. I:20
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major (“Haffner”), K. 385
Soltani, Korsten
March 09 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn: Symphony No. 85 in B-flat major (“The Queen”), Hob. I:85
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216;
Serenade No. 5 in D major, K. 204
Bouchkov, Takács-Nagy
April 14 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn: Symphony No. 86 in D major, Hob. I:86
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466;
Serenade No. 9 in D major (“Posthorn”), K. 320
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
Bonus concert:
May 26 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 15
in G major, K. 124;
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219
Janáček: Suite for String
Orchestra, JW VI/2
Grieg: Two Nordic Melodies, Op. 63
Kim, Pilz
Performances both in Müpa Budapest and the Liszt Academy
6 concerts
+ bonus concert:
January 28, 2024
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 78,000
II category: HUF 57,500
III. category: HUF 51,500
IV. category: HUF 37,000
V. category: HUF 30,000
VI. category: HUF 21,500
November 25 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.;
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18;
Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Vinnitskaya, Fischer
December 19 Tuesday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
F. Scarlatti: Concerto in F major, S 1187, No. 3
Hasse: “Se mai turbo il tuo riposo” – aria from Cleofide
Telemann: Concerto for Recorder and Bassoon in F major, TWV 52:F1
Pisendel: Violin Concerto in G minor, JunP I.1
Hasse: Sinfonia in G minor, Op. 5, No. 6
Handel: Il delirio amoroso
– cantata, HWV 99
(“Da quel giorno fatale”), HWV 99
Pierce, Podger, T’Hooft
January 20 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 16 in C major, K. 128
Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb:2; Symphony No. 20 in C major, Hob. I:20
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major (“Haffner”), K. 385
Soltani, Korsten
Bonus concert:
January 28 Sunday 5:00 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Back to Nature – Chamber Music on Period Instruments
February 09 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 10; Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83; Hungarian Dance No. 7; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Bronfman, Fischer
April 13 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn: Symphony No. 86 in D major, Hob. I:86
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466; Serenade No. 9 in D major (“Posthorn”), K. 320
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
April 26 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Tüür: Aditus
Schumann: Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major (“Spring”), Op. 38
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82
Järvi
Performances both in Müpa Budapest and the Liszt Academy
4 concerts
+ bonus concert:
May 26, 2024
Save 25 % off of single ticket prices
I. category: HUF 65,000
II category: HUF 47,000
III. category: HUF 41,500
IV. category: HUF 29,000
V. category: HUF 23,500
VI. category: HUF 16,000
January 20 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 16 in C major, K. 128
Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb:2; Symphony No. 20 in C major, Hob. I:20
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major (“Haffner”), K. 385
Soltani, Korsten
March 02 Saturday 3:30 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Song, Op. 25
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 in D major (“Reformation”), Op. 107
Várjon, Martín
April 13 Saturday 7:45 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Haydn: Symphony No. 86 in D major, Hob. I:86
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466;
Serenade No. 9 in D major (“Posthorn”), K. 320
Shishkin, Takács-Nagy
May 10 Friday 7:45 p.m.
Müpa, BBNCH
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 21;
Double Concerto for Violin and Cello
in A minor, Op. 102;
Hungarian Dance No. 14;
Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Eberle, Isserlis, Fischer
Bonus concert:
May 26 Sunday 3:30 p.m.
Liszt Academy, Grand Hall
Mozart: Symphony No. 15
in G major, K. 124;
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219
Janáček: Suite for String
Orchestra, JW VI/2
Grieg: Two Nordic Melodies, Op. 63
Kim, Pilz
PRICE HUF 18,000
2023
October 08 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Illési
November 19 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Illési 2024
February 11 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Fischer
April 20 Saturday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Illési
May 12 Sunday
2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
Fischer
Cocoa Concerts – Good to Know
∙Valid tickets are required (both for children and adults) to attend each performance.
∙Latecomers can join the concert only in the intermissions between the musical pieces.
∙Cloakroom is mandatory and free of charge.
∙Bigger bags should be placed in the cloakroom.
∙Eating and drinking is not allowed during the performance.
∙If possible, please use the toilets before the performance, not to disturb the concert.
∙Instruments in the rehearsal hall are our treasures; please take care of them!
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Management
Music Director: Fischer Iván
Managing Director: Erdődy Orsolya
Personal Assistant to the
Music Director: Zeibig Márton
Personal Assistant to the
Managing Director: Szántó Ildikó
Operational Management
Artistic Planning: Anna-Berenika Haefliger*
Head of Operation:
Zöld Krisztina
Operational Manager:
Szani Szolongo
Chief Librarian: Gátay Tibor
Senior Tour Manager: Wolf Ivett
Tour Manager: Damásdi Ildikó
Senior Orchestra Personnel
Manager: Melisko Krisztina
Junior Orchestra
Personnel Manager:
Somogyi Roxána
Head of Stage Management:
Zentai Róbert
Stage Coordinators:
Kathi Sándor, Siba István
Sponsoring and International Relations
International President: Martin Hoffmann*
Corporate Relations Manager:
Petneházy Flóra
Individual Giving Manager:
Deák Zsuzsanna
Communications and Audience Relations
Head of Marketing and Audience
Relations: Tiszolczi-Bertalan Anna
Marketing Manager: Szigeti Orsolya
PR Manager: Tossenberger Adél
Social Media Manager:
Somogyi Roxána
Communication Adviser:
Váradi Júlia*
Audience Relations Managers:
Réz Judit, Kedves Kinga
Finance
Head of Finance: Szabó Attila
Accountants: Holbach Andrea, Töreky Beáta
Secretariat
Office Assistant: Aranyosné Boros Angyalka
Hereditary Staff Member: Maglódi Györgyné
* independent consultant
Budapest Festival Orchestra Foundation
Board of Trustees
Chairman: Simor András
Members: Alan Gemes, Bernhard Hulla, Illés Gábor, dr. Jádi Németh Andrea, dr. Kiss Viktor, Máthé-Tóth István, dr. Szecskay András, Sylvia Tóth, dr. Vámos György
Honorary Member: Marschall Miklós
Supervisory Board
Chairman: László Csaba
Members: dr. Jalsovszky Pál, Kósa Judit, Terták Ádám
Budapest Festival Orchestra Association
Chairman: dr. Sziklai János
Advisory Board of the Managing Director Boros István
Danks Emese
dr. Takács Ildikó Katalin
International Friends of the BFO
American Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra email: info@friendsofthebudapestfestivalorchestra.org web: www.friendsofthebudapestfestivalorchestra.org
International Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra –Germany e.V.
email: germanfriends@bfointernational.com
British Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra
email: britishfriends@bfointernational.com
Swiss Friends of the Budapest Festival Orchestra
email: office@budapestfo.ch
web: www.budapestfo.ch
BFO contacts
secretariat: H-1034 Budapest, Bécsi út 126. (Kiscelli Office Building)
telephone: +36 1 489 4330
email: info@bfz.hu
bank account number: 10918001-00000089-59160000 (UniCredit Bank Zrt.)
website, online ticket sales: www.bfz.hu
Published by the Budapest Festival Orchestra Foundation
Publisher: Erdődy Orsolya, Managing Director of the BFO
Text: Mona Dániel
Editor: Szigeti Orsolya, Tossenberger Adél
Graphic Design: büro für mitteilungen
Contributing agency: McCann
Creative Director: Havasi Gábor
Business Development Director: Bende-Koó Bence
Close of editing: March 08, 2023
Müpa Budapest
1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell u. 1.
Tram 1 – Közvágóhíd;
2, 24 – Müpa – Nemzeti Színház
Bus 23, 23E, 54, 55 – Müpa–Nemzeti Színház
Suburban railway H7 – Müpa–Nemzeti Színház
Parking Concert visitors may park for free in the outdoor parking lot and the underground parking garage.
Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8
Tram 4, 6 – Király utca
Trolley 70, 78 – Király utca
Bus 105, 178 – Oktogon
Metro M1 – Oktogon
Parking is free in nearby streets on non-business days.
Budapest Congress Center
1123 Budapest, Jagelló út 1–3.
Tram 17, 61 – BAH-csomópont;
59 – Apor Vilmos tér
Bus 8E, 108E, 139, 140, 212 – BAH-csomópont; 110, 112 – BAH-csomópont or Sirály utca; 102, 105 – Apor Vilmos tér
Parking Concert visitors may park in the outdoor parking lot outside the Congress Center and Hotel Novotel.
BFO Rehearsal Hall
1034 Budapest, Selmeci utca 14–16.
Tram 17, 19, 41 – Selmeci utca
Bus 9, 109, 111 – Tímár utca
Parking is free in nearby streets on non-business days.
Castle Garden Bazaar
1013 Budapest, Ybl Miklós tér 2–6.
Tram 19, 41 – Várkert Bazár; 56, 56A – Döbrentei tér
Bus 5 – Szarvas tér/Döbrentei tér; 8E; 110; 112 –Döbrentei tér; 16, 105, 178 – Clark Ádám tér
Night bus 916, 990 – Várkert Bazár; 956 – Szarvas tér; 908 – Döbrentei tér
Parking Concert visitors may park in the underground parking garage of the Castle Garden Bazaar.
