Fitos Dezső Dance Company, István Pál Szalonna and his Band, Grupul Iza (RO): Advent in Máramaros

This concert offers an evening of folk music with ‘piano’ accompaniment. But they don’t mean the keyboard instrument, because in Máramaros, one of the historically richest regions of the Carpathian Basin, ‘zongora’ (‘piano’) is what they call the guitar accompanying a violin.  When we refer to Máramaros, we are generally only thinking of the Romanian county of that name, but it actually comprises a significant portion of Transcarpathia as well.  For centuries, this region has been home to many ethnic groups, such as Hungarians, Romanians, Ruthenians, Jews and Gypsies. The archaic and diverse folk music of the region has long attracted attention, including from Béla Bartók. Bringing the music of Máramaros to life on the stage of the House of Music Hungary will be one of the area’s best-known local wedding ensembles, Iza Grupul, together with popular Hungarian performers such as the Transcarpathian-born István ‘Szalonna’ Pál and his band, as well as the Dezső Fitos Company.

VÁRDAI – non SOLO CELLO / film screening and discussion

Still only in his 30s, István Várdai is already one of the most sought-after cellists in the world, a versatile artist serving as artistic director of the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra and as a professor of cello at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna while also holding master classes all over the world.  This portrait film, shot over the course of four years, explores the meaning of talent. Is it a blessing? Or is it, especially when combined with a sense of mission, a burden that makes life difficult? Eszter Száraz’s portrait film will be presented together with András Batta who will interview both the subject and the creator of the work. The film shows Várdai collaborating with leading contemporaries from around the classical music scene – Péter Eötvös, Vikingur Olafsson, Kristóf Baráti and Lawrence Foster – who teach at their posts in Vienna and at a master class in Italy, in Boccherini’s native Lucca, while also providing a closer look at the man himself. An inspiring and honest portrait documentary about an artist who can justifiably serve as a role model for younger generations as well.

TRIONfilm Productions 2024 / Produced with the support of the National Film Institute of Hungary.