Musical events co-ordinated by KLASSZ

KLASSZ offers exciting musical events already in 2008. Generally, these can be regarded as an ‘overture’ to the grand-scale musical years – the Haydn Year 2009, the Erkel-Mahler Year 2010 and finally the Liszt Year 2011.

Castle Concerts Eszterháza 2008, a series consisting of 37 concerts, begins on 4 July 2008. It is well known that in order to enjoy really good music already Maria Theresa went to Eszterháza… It is true, however, that the Queen left Vienna to visit the castle of Prince Miklós Eszterházy the ‘Pomp-loving’ principally for the sake of operas. For her, the guarantee of a perfect performance was conductor-musical director Joseph Haydn himself. This summer, once again, the first master of the Viennese Classic is the highlight of the castle concert series of classical music. By taking part in this multiple musical event the music-loving audience can get acquainted with dozens of his works performed by widely acclaimed Hungarian and international artists. And, as if it were not enough, the concerts will take place nearby Lake Fertő, in one of Hungary’s most remarkable architectural monuments that has such a great significance in the history of music. KLASSZ honestly hopes that concert-goers, too, will keep coming back to Eszterháza to enjoy good music. One might already return during the Haydn Year 2009, when Europe commemorates the 200th anniversary of the world-famous composer’s death.

This is followed in August 2008 by the other ‘forerunner’ event, the Liszt Week in Esztergom, organised with the intention to establish a tradition. At this event the choirs, after each having rehearsed one of Liszt’s choral works, will give a performance together. According to the plans of the Office, by the time of the Liszt Year 2011 this programme will have developed into a festival that could be a worthy part of the series of events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, both in Hungary and in Europe.

The World Music Day is to be regarded as one of the most important events in which KLASSZ Music Office is involved in 2008. It was upon the initiative of Yehudi Menuhin that the UNESCO International Advisory Committee established the day 1 October as World Music Day. By commemorating the greatest musicians, this day helps us get acquainted with the music of various cultures. At the concert organised by the Office, Benjamin Britten’s one-act children’s opera The Little Sweep will be performed. It is envisaged that children from the countryside will come to the concert, too.