Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Is there such a thing as Mozart not being cheerful?

There is - and in fact, Mozart stood out from his contemporaries precisely because he had a highly developed sense of drama, an exceptional talent for character portrayal, for contrasting opposites, and for expressing sudden shifts in mood. That said, most of his works are fundamentally in major keys with a generally joyful character. However, in this concert, three of his works will be performed that are dramatic and dark in tone, yet not depressing. It’s no coincidence that each of these became one of the most memorably famous pieces in his oeuvre. Don Giovanni is known as "the opera of operas," in which Mozart orchestrated a true fireworks display of innovative solutions. Although he composed the overture only on the day of the premiere, it was a tremendous success. Moreover, the overture itself reflects the opera’s extremes - it is both serious and dramatic, yet mischievous and playful at the same time. The C minor piano concerto is one of Mozart’s two concertos written in a minor key; its elevated and heroic message served as a model for Beethoven when composing his own C minor piano concerto. The G minor symphony is Mozart’s penultimate symphony, which was never performed during his lifetime. This piece is perhaps Mozart’s most famous symphony, known even to those who never listen to symphonies. It’s no wonder, as the music is very sincere - at once chaotic and bursting with energy. The National Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Hungary’s leading ensembles and has kept these works continuously in their repertoire for decades. Mihály Berecz is one of the outstanding representatives of the young generation of pianists, deeply immersed in the Viennese classical repertoire; he regularly performs not only on the piano but also on the fortepiano. The concert will be conducted by György Vashegyi, who can be considered a close acquaintance of Mozart, as the focus of his career is research and performance of 18th-century music.

Spend an emotional and passionate evening with Mozart.