On December 2, 2024, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia directed by Vladimir Spivakov, People's Artist of the USSR and UNESCO Artist for Peace, gave the only concert in the Concert Hall of the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy in Budapest. This unprecedented event is of international impact. The first performance of the NPR in the Hungarian capital has become a kind of symbolic breakthrough, being the first tour of a leading Russian symphony orchestra to Europe in the period of complicated political situation and absence of inter-cultural communications. In the times when Russian collectives have lost all possibilities to appear in Europe and those foreign ones – in Russia, the NPR got and accepted a unique invitation from the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy. The tour concert was arranged with an active assistance of the RF Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Hungary.
The NPR's concert had been sold out long before its occurrence. In the audience there were Zsolt Semjén, Deputy Premier Minister of Hungary, who, on behalf of the Hungarian Government, expressed the gratitude to Vladimir Spivakov and all Russian musicians for the superb concert, and also Sándor Lezsák, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, Miklós Soltész, Secretary of State for Social and Family Affairs, Evgeny Stanislavov, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Russia in Hungary, as well as Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Hungary, and other officials. The concert got recorded by MTVA, one of the main state radio companies in Hungary, with the right to transmit it every year in the course of ten years.
Before the concert, Vladimir Spivakov met with the press and gave some comments regarding the visit to Budapest and the program to be performed. 'Numerous lovers of classical music are waiting for us, thus the intercourse is still going on. In addition, presenters are writing incessantly that they are longing to see and to hear us in their countries' - said the maestro, adding that the orchestra is open to new proposals from Europe. 'One should always see other possibilities in difficult situations. There are possibilities now and will be in the future for us. I am positively sure about it. Russian art is a huge part of the global world, global culture. Moreover, when this world is lacking something the deficiency is felt' – added he.
The NPR prepared for the Hungaran audience a special program compiled of works by Sergei Rachmaninoff – Symphonic Dances and Second Piano Concerto. These masterpieces are among the most loved by Vladimir Spivakov, the key works for NPR's most tours in Europe and America, performed also in many Russian cities and towns, and recorded. 'Rachmaninoff is one of my icons – Vladimir Spivakov says. – His oeuvre is a whole planet where there is a lot to be discovered yet'. The NPR and the maestro have been performing and recording the music by the great Russain composer since the very first season; to his 150th birthday anniversary, the orchestra released a recorded trilogy Best of Rachmaninoff that is available now on all popular streaming platforms. The piano part in Second Piano Concerto was played in Budapest by splendid pianist Ekaterina Mechetina, Merited Artist of Russia, award-winner at many international competitions. Ekaterina Mechetina has published a standout essay devoted to this opus.
The rendition of Rachmaninoff’s music by Spivakov and the NPR has been acclaimed by international mass media. Critic pundits unanimously praised the assuredness, brilliance and creativeness of the maestro's interpretation. The Hungarian audience was also very appreciative and and welcomed the Russian musicians with hot ovations after each work played. After the main program Spivakov and the orchestra had to deliver in response five encores which included two fragments from Tchaikovsky's ballets (Hungarian Dance from Swan Lake and Pas de deux from The Nutcracker), Bartók's Romanian Dance, the Entre'act from Katerina Ismailova and Waltz by Shostakovich.
Foto by Istvan Fazekas