MOZART - BERECZ MIHÁLY - VASHEGYI GYÖRGY Ferencsik/4

An evening with Mozart: could there be any greater happiness? The answer to this rhetorical question is never in doubt even if we add that the works to be heard on the fourth evening of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra’s Ferencsik season ticket are all in minor keys, so the concert will be steeped in dark tones, tragedy and drama. The Don Giovanni Overture, the Piano Concerto in C minor and the“Great” Symphony in G minor were written when Wolfgang Amadeus was at the peak of his creative powers, so it is no coincidence that these are all later masterpieces. The conductor for the evening will be the Hungarian National Philharmonic’s Kossuth Prize-winning general music director György Vashegyi, while the soloist is the excellent young pianist Mihály Berecz, who is also at home in the world of early music.

The main ‘musical hunting ground’ of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra’s  Ferencsik season ticket is the Viennese Classical period, and the concept largely comprises rare and colourful treasures waiting to be discovered. On this evening, however, we will hear solely from one of the three greats, the immortal Mozart, and in the language of his greatest masterpieces. Is it of significance that all these works strike a tragic note, and that all three were written in a minor key? Let’s not look for any rhyme of reason here: Mozart was able to formulate eternal truths in tones of both blue skies and grey. The Don Giovanni Overture, the Piano Concerto in C minor and the “Great” Symphony in G minor all present the serious side of his being beyond doubt: weighty, powerful, dramatic and dark tones await. And, of course, great pleasure – we are talking about his most significant works, after all. The soloist for the piano concerto is one of the most outstanding Hungarian discoveries of recent years, Mihály Berecz, who is also well versed in historically informed performance. The orchestra will be conducted by the Kossuth Prize-winning general music director of the orchestra, György Vashegyi, who is Hungary’s most dedicated interpreter of early music.

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Don Giovanni – overture, K. 527 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 

***

Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550 

Mihály Berecz piano

Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: György Vashegyi