Palace Music: Concerto Budapest
CONCERTO BUDAPEST WINDS
Orsolya Kaczander – flute
Csaba Klenyán – clarinet
György Puha – clarinet
Béla Horváth – oboe
Bálint Mohai – bassoon
Albert Nagy – bassoon
János Benyus – French horn
Program:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 12 Variations on a French Nursery Song, K. 265 (arrangement by Gábor Werner)
György Kurtág Wind Quintet
György Kurtág Signs, Games and Messages
Ludwig van Beethoven Duo in C major, Op. 21
György Kurtág Scenes for Flute, Op. 39
György Ligeti Six Bagatelles
In cooperation with Liszt Institute – Tallinn Hungarian Cultural Centre
Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra is one of Hungary’s leading orchestras, with its rich history and dynamism of its young musicians. It is one of the most progressive and versatile symphonic orchestras, whose playing is characterized by the passion, energy, and commitment that its musicians give to their performances of repertoire ranging from well-loved masterpieces to newly composed works of the twenty-first century. Through its ambitious and innovative programs and special sound, it has brought a new colour to Hungary’s musical palette.
This programme brings together cornerstones of the classical repertoire and emblematic works of the Hungarian avant garde, creating a dialogue between clarity, playfulness and bold modern expression. Mozart’s Twelve Variations on a French Nursery Song, heard here in Gábor Werner’s arrangement, opens the concert with wit, elegance and effortless invention.
György Kurtág’s music appears in three contrasting facets: the early Wind Quintet, the aphoristic miniatures of Signs, Games and Messages, and the intimate, finely etched Scenes for Flute, Op. 39. Each piece reveals Kurtág’s unmistakable voice — concise, expressive and deeply human.
Beethoven’s Duo in C major, Op. 21 offers a bright, classical counterbalance, full of charm and transparent craftsmanship. The programme concludes with György Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles, a vibrant and rhythmically charged suite that distils the composer’s early style into brilliant, energetic miniatures.
Together, these works trace a path from classical elegance to the concentrated intensity of the 20th century, highlighting the richness and diversity of Central European musical imagination.
Kadriorg Palace is one the most well known and beautiful historic concert halls in Estonia offering memorable music experiences already for many decades. The tradition of performing music in the baroque palace goes back to 18th century when court music accompanied the daily life. The palace has had the pleasure to welcome many international artists and ensembles for outstanding performances.
The construction of the Kadriorg Palace was started by the Tsar Peter the Great of Russia in 1718. It was named Catharinenthal (in Estonian Kadriorg) in honour of his wife Catherine I. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Nicola Michetti and its abundantly decorated main hall is one of the most exquisite examples of baroque architecture both in Estonia and in northern Europe.
Kadriorg Palace has always been the crown jewel of Tallinn. The small festive tsars’ palace in the style of Roman Baroque, surrounded by a regular garden, with fountains, hedges and flowerbeds, planned after the model of Versailles.
The palace was a summer residence of Russian emperors untill 1917. In the 1920s, and again in 1946-1991 palace served as the main building of the Art Museum of Estonia. In the 1930s, it was the residence of the Head of State of the Estonian Republic. In 2000, it was opened as the Kadriorg Art Museum, which displays the largest collection of old Russian and Western European art in Estonia.
Music has been performed in the palace halls since the 18th century. In the past few decades, the most brilliant Estonian and international musicians have delighted listeners in the palace. Regular concerts started to take place in the Kadriorg Palace again in 2014, when the museum launched the Palace Music Concert Series. The extraordinary acoustics and the magnificent interior of the main hall make every concert a truly enjoyable artistic experience.
The artistic director of the Palace Music Concert Series is Aare Tammesalu.
In cooperation of the Art Museum of Estonia. Tickets are on sale at the Kadriorg Art Museum and Piletikeskus outlets.
Supporters: Estonian Ministry of Culture, The Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Public Broadcasting, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, UNESCO City of Music Tallinn, Kultuurikõla, Pointprint
Special thanks: Visit Estonia, Visit Tallinn, Õhtuleht
Concert tickets are not refundable, but if necessary, we can exchange them for passes to other Palace Music concerts
