Schubert, Szokolay – Barnabás Kelemen

Franz SCHUBERT: Five German Dances, D. 90

Sándor SZOKOLAY: Violin Concerto, Op. 15

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Franz SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 8 in B minor (“Unfinished”), D. 759

Gáspár Kelemen violin

Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Barnabás Kelemen

Franz Schubert (1797–1828) composed his Five German Dances in 1813, at the age of just 16. In these pieces, light entertainment meets the seriousness of classical music, and the simplicity of folk music blends with Viennese charm. Sándor Szokolay’s (1931–2013) Violin Concerto was written in 1956–57, shortly after the young composer completed his studies and in the early years of his career. Its tone, melodic phrasing and harmonic world clearly show the influence of Bartók, who died little more than a decade earlier. In 1822, Schubert composed his Symphony No. 8 in B minor, the famous Unfinished Symphony. This iconic work gives the impression of a perfectly complete whole, even though it contains only two movements instead of the usual four. Musicologists have never been able to establish with certainty why it remained unfinished. The first movement is an Allegro moderato in B minor in sonata form, while the second is an Andante con moto in E major. In both movements, lyrical and dramatic forms of expression alternate. Many people regard this as the first truly Romantic symphony. The 18-year-old Gáspár Kelemen (b. 2008), son of the violinists Barnabás Kelemen and Katalin Kokas, is one of the most promising members of the up-and-coming generation of Hungarian violinists. Like his father, he demonstrated his exceptional talent in public at a very early age. Barnabás Kelemen (b. 1978) has enjoyed worldwide success as a violinist for decades, but audiences also know him as an excellent conductor. On this occasion, he will appear at the helm of the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra in the latter capacity.

Photo: Péter Hermann

Supported by Hungarian Academy of Arts