The exceptionally charming series of old Italian dances by Ottorino Respighi, whose links to Hungarian music history include serving as mentor to Ferenc Farkas, is a gem of Neo-Classicism, while Endre Szervánszky’s Flute Concerto (first premièred by the Hungarian National Philharmonic’s predecessor, the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra) is an enduring piece of Hungarian music from the 1950s. César Franck’s symphony, for its part, is one of the most important orchestral works created by this French Romantic who was receptive to German influences. The involvement of the uniquely talented married couple Noémi Győri and Gergely Madaras couple promises the release of youthful energies.
Ottorino Respighi is considered a representative of musical impressionism, and his brilliant instrumentation is marked by such works as Fontane di Roma, Pini di Roma and Feste romane. However, he was also an adherent of the Neoclassical style, as documented by the Antiche arie e danze (“Ancient Airs and Dances”) suites, of which we will hear the first tonight. Endre Szervánszky (1911–1977) studied at the Liszt Academy under Albert Siklós. His 1952 Flute Concerto, written for the great flautist of the era Zoltán Jeney, reflects the influence of Bartók. César Franck’s large-scale Symphony in D minor from 1888 is one of the main works of the French Late Romantic orchestral literature, and his compositional technique was significantly influenced by the thinking of Franz Liszt.
After studying at Budapest’s Liszt Academy, Noémi Győri honed her skills in Vienna, Munich and London. She plays a great deal of contemporary music, performs concerts and holds master classes around the world, and has taught flute at the University of Manchester since 2019. In spite of his young age, her husband, Gergely Madaras has been a world-famous conductor for quite a few years now. His enjoyed his early successes abroad. “I have conducted about 70 orchestras playing around one thousand different works in 24 countries on five continents,” is how he summed up his career so far in an interview. Like his wife, he began his career as a flautist and still plays the instrument today.
Ottorino Respighi: Antiche arie e danze – Suite No. 1
Endre Szervánszky: Flute Concerto
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César Franck: Symphony in D minor
Noémi Győri flute
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Gergely Madaras
