Pannon Philharmonic

The symphony orchestra of Pécs is the only one in Hungary that has been present in the musical life of the capital city for years with its own concert series. The ensemble’s concerts in Budapest, traditionally, are held at the Palace of Art. This year, the concerts using the bright palette of music recall the colours of Caput Mortuum, Ice-blue, Glass-green, Fire-red, and Gold-ocker. The concert series is a co-production with the Gábor Kovács Art Foundation, “our goal is to show that music und fine arts now – like always – complete and inspire each other. We would like to bring both of them closer to the public, with a help of both of them.” – said mondta Péter Fertőszögi, the curator chairman at the press conference in Budapest. Tibor Bogányi, the orchestra’s chief conductor explained that in the frames of this collaboration, a picture of a contemporary artist will be exhibited at the Palace of Arts, at each concert. One picture is going to be painted by Ágnes Zászkaliczky, commissioned by the orchestra. 
As for today, 80%of the audience members of this 5-concert-series are subscribers. “The capital’s competent audience obligates us – said Zsolt Horváth, the director of the Pannon Philharmonic -, the main aim of our presence in Budapest is to show ourselves; it is important for us that we participate in the extraordinary music life of Budapest. First of all, we are looking for partnerships – with composers, performing artists, or even audience.”
The ensemble works together with internationally renowned musicians also at its concerts in Budapest; in the 2013/2014 season, all of the soloists are from the elite of the Hungarian music scene. In the series, from November to May, one can listen to Andrea Vígh’s harp playing, László Fenyő’s cello solo, and in Beethoven’s Trio Concerto, the audience of the Palace of Arts can hear Kristóf Baráti, Dénes Várjon and István Várdai.
The orchestra’s season opening concert will be held on 15 November 2013, at 7.30pm. It is the Budapest premiere of Levente Gyöngyösi’s Sinfonia concertante. Levente Gyöngyösi is a prominent representative of his generation, winner of numerous competitions and awards; since 2012, he is the resident composer of the Pannon Philharmonic. “Such a trust of a symphony orchestra in a composer is a great honour and a really rear one here in Hungary” – says the composer. The Sinfonia concertante was commissioned by the orchestra; Gyöngyösi composed the work expressly to the ensemble and the Amadinda Percussions Group, which is celebrating its 30-year-anniversary this year. Zoltán Rácz, the leader of the group emphasized at the press conference: “there is no other music than contemporary; all the musical works are being either written or played now”.
At the season opening concert, beside the Gyöngyösi symphony, Stravinsky’s 100-year old Rite of Spring a music historical milestone is going to be played.
In this season, the orchestra pays tribute to the memory of Richard Strauss, who was born 150 years ago − with performing his Don Quixote.
For the orchestra’s concert series in Budapest, tickets and subscriptions can be still purchased, in a limited number.

(Photo: László Dobó)