S. Bach–Bálint Karosi: St. Mark Passion (21^st October 2026, Matthias Church)

Besides Johann Sebastian Bach’s surviving works, it is perhaps the lost pieces that fascinate posterity even more: how really wonderful it would be to have access to even more of the divine knowledge possessed by the composer! Among these mysterious missing works one finds ‘St. Mark Passion’. The libretto of this piece has survived but we can make mere speculations about the music itself. Bach probably used excerpts from his other works in this composition, and certain movements of this piece continued to live on in his later compositions. In fact, numerous reconstructions of the work have been made based on information available, but this does not prevent even newer versions from being created. Now composer, conductor and organist Bálint Karosi, currently living in USA, has undertaken to recreate the work, which he will also be conducting. István Horváth will appear as the Evangelist, and the other soloists of the performance will comprise outstanding young artists practised in Baroque music including members of the Choir of the Hungarian National Radio.

Riccardo Frizza (Photo/Source: János Posztós / Hungarian Radio Art Groups)

Beethoven: Missa Solemnis (12^th January 2027, Liszt Academy)

While browsing through the season’s performances, one’s eye is immediately caught by a work that constitutes the masterpiece of the oeuvre of a composer who is even more classical than the classics themselves. Any performance of Beethoven’s monumental ‘Missa Solemnis’ is always a celebration in itself: this is so because the work, written for a vast ensemble, places such a heavy burden on the musicians that orchestras usually think twice before taking on such a challenge. This time, the concert will be conducted by the Hungarian Radio Art Groups’ Honorary Conductor Riccardo Frizza, who has been conducting several large-scale compositions in recent years with incredible emotional depth and intensity. And Riccardo Frizza is certain to be a perfect partner to the Art Groups’ musicians this time again. A piece of similar grandeur to Symphony No. 9, yet even longer and even more captivating – just as the case is concerning ‘Missa Solemnis’ –, requires performers who are just as versatile and yet sensitive as soprano soloist Polina Pasztircsák or the members of the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Hungarian National Radio. This concert can therefore serve as a fine prelude to the commemorative year honouring the bicentenary of Beethoven’s death.

Renaud Capuçon (Photo/Source: Warner)

Renaud Capuçon and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra (23^rd March 2027, Liszt Academy)

For those who attended the most recent joint concert by world-famous violinist (and now also conductor) Renaud Capuçon and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, there can be no question about whether they are looking forward to the next such occasion. Renaud Capuçon will once again perform in both roles. As a soloist he will play Bach’s passionate and captivatingly beautiful ‘Violin Concerto in A Minor’, and ‘Two Romances for Violin and Orchestra in F Major and G Major’, which latter piece features perhaps the most enchanting Beethoven melodies in the history of music. In his other role, he will be conducting Brahms’ ‘Symphony No. 4’, which is a piece that is impossible not to fall in love with, and the work is in fact a true musical hit. What is necessary for someone to go from being a good soloist to becoming an equally good conductor? This is an intriguing question and one that cannot be answered briefly: anyone who, as an instrumental player, demonstrates a deep understanding of music that goes beyond technical skills is likely to do well more easily also in other areas. Last time Renaud Capuçon conducted a truly grand-scale symphony with an infallible hand and inspiration; and so it seems he has discovered the secret behind this ‘transformation’.

Philip Glass (Photo/Source: Danny Clinch / Hungarian Radio Art Groups)

Philip Glass: Symphony No. 5 (20^th March 2027, Müpa Budapest)

The work of popular contemporary American composer Philip Glass invites the audience to join him on a spiritual journey. Whereas most contemporary composers struggle to connect with their audiences, Glass’ minimalism and his interest in the supernatural, particularly in Eastern philosophies, may well appeal to everyone. In his monumental ‘Symphony No. 5’, comprising twelve movements, Glass sets out to unite various traditions exploring the great questions of existence, and guides the listener from the state before creation through the world’s making and destruction to eventual enlightenment. Hungarian audiences have already encountered some of Glass’ works with a similar philosophical nature (such as the opera entitled ‘Ehnaton’ about the ruler who established monotheism in Egypt, or ‘The Passion of Ramakrishna’ based on Hindu teachings), thus his ‘Symphony No. 5’ is also certain to lead to exciting intellectual adventures. The concert will be conducted by specialist in contemporary music Gergely Vajda, who has extensive experience in performing large-scale and complex works. The performance will feature outstanding soloists including the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Hungarian National Radio as well as the Hungarian Radio Children’s Choir. What makes this event special is that the Hungarian Radio Children’s Choir also took part in the 1999 world premiere of this musical piece in Salzburg – though, of course, the members of the Choir were different at that time.

Emőke Baráth (Photo/Source: Zsófi Raffay)

Haydn: Nelson Mass (28^th April 2027, Liszt Academy)

Emőke Baráth once remarked in an interview that she is more popular in France than in her home country, Hungary. Fortunately, there are persons also in Hungary who recognise the artistry of the singer, regarded as one of the world’s greatest artists, and who expressly visit a concert specifically to see Emőke Baráth. In ‘Nelson Mass’ (perhaps the most varied and impactful of Haydn’s liturgical works), the soprano soloist has been assigned a particularly brilliant and sweet-sounding part, so listening to Emőke Baráth’s versatile and pleasing timbre of voice is sure to be a great experience. Certainly, at this concert we can also look forward to performances by other vocal soloists: Eszter Balogh, Zoltán Megyesi and István Kovács are all superb early music performers. In the first half of the event, Beethoven’s heroic ‘Piano Concerto in E-flat Major’, also known as ‘Emperor Concerto’, will be staged. The piece was written during the Napoleonic Wars. In addition, the performance features outstanding pianist and Rector of Liszt Academy Gábor Farkas with Music Director Domonkos Héja as conductor.