István Várdai & MÁV Symphony Orchestra

Gergely Kesselyák is fastidious when it comes to compiling his concert programmes. This evening, the lead is taken by good cheer and liveliness. The opera overtures of Gioachino Rossini, also frequently performed at concerts, are cheerful, vibrant symphonic works with catchy melodies and sparkling colours – this is equally true of the opera overture Semiramide that debuted in Venice in 1823 (based on a work by Voltaire). ▪ Friedrich Gulda was a prominent pianist of his age, slightly eccentric and an ‘enfant terrible’. One of his best-known works as composer is the jazz-like concerto for cello and wind orchestra played at this concert. He managed to reconcile the contradiction between the noble and elegant cello and frequently trivial military music. Soloist is István Várdai who can boast a sensational third prize at the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow and first prize at the Geneva International Cello Competition. He is a professor at the music academy in Vienna. ▪ Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, which had its première in 1806, is pure optimism, good cheer and it even contains a dash of musical humour.