Program: Beethoven: Sonata in C-sharp minor (“Moonlight”), Op. 27, No. 2; Liszt: The Fountains of Villa d’Este; Schumann–Liszt: Widmung; Ponce–Balázs: Estrellita; János Balázs: Through Fire and Water; Brahms–Balázs: Hungarian Dances (Nos. 17 and 6); Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6
János Balázs (1988*) is one of today’s most celebrated Hungarian piano virtuosos. His artistic role model is György Cziffra, whose name is also borne by the Budapest festival he founded, which now looks back on a history spanning several decades. Like his iconic mentor, János Balázs is himself a dedicated interpreter of Romantic piano literature—particularly the works of Franz Liszt—and also creates his own transcriptions. We will hear a selection of these transcriptions at this concert, along with one of his own compositions. And, of course, Liszt’s music cannot be missing from the program: during the evening, we will hear both the “water” music—inspired by Italy and famous for its dazzling colors—and, to conclude, the popular Hungarian rhapsody, which preserves the melody of the immortal “Beetle”