Overview

100 years since the birth of Ligeti.

In the 19th century, Hungarian folk music was identified in most people’s minds with gypsy music, which is why Brahms’ Hungarian dances have the quick-paced dance feel of Romany music. Later, however, the studies by Bartók and Kodály revealed the true identity of the Hungarian musical tradition, which inspired the two great composers to create masterpieces, among which those to be conducted tonight by the distinguished maestro Stefan Asbury, along with the otherworldly Lontano by György Ligeti, also of Hungarian origin. The soloist of tonight’s concert is versatile violinist Roman Simovic, who combines his work as a symphonic musician (concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra) with an active and impressive career as a soloist.

19:30 Introductory speech for ticket holders