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World-famous Hungarians

Peter Eötvös worldpremiere

Peter Eötvös: Sirens' Song – first performance
Within the concert: Pre-recorded conversation with composer, conductor and professor Peter Eötvös and music historian Gergely Fazekas
Béla Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussions and Celeste

Conducted by: Peter Eötvös

Concert estimated duration: 60 minutes

ONLINE STREAM

On 25 March, at 8 pm, with the help of live stream technology, both the Hungarian and the international audience can enjoy a concert of prime music-historical significance. Following long-established cooperation, composer, conductor and music educator Peter Eötvös - whose accomplishments have been recognised, among others, with the Order of Saint Stephen and the Kossuth Prize - has dedicated a composition of his to the Pannon Philharmonic. On the master's request, the work's world premiere will take place in the Kodály Centre in Pécs. Eötvös is one of the most acclaimed contemporary composers of this century; he is a returning guest conductor of highly prestigious orchestras, so much so that the greatest ensembles of various continents have been looking forward to working with him. This production is an auspicious event in the world of music internationally, in Hungary and in the city of Pécs. It is all the more unique, as the orchestra is preparing for the world premiere with live stream technology. We can be part of a singular experience, as the event will also encompass an interview: the night's programme will be enriched with a discussion with the composer, Peter Eötvös and the musicologist, Gergely Fazekas.

 

It is always a heart-warming sensation to see when a contemporary fellow-Hungarian slowly secures his place among the nation's great. We can bear witness to this - also in a professional sense -, when we can listen to the premiere of Peter Eötvös's new composition in the company of Béla Bartók's world-famous Music for Strings, Percussions and Celeste. You are most welcome to join us, even if you find contemporary music “difficult”, as a discussion will precede the concert. Through it, we will get to know Peter Eötvös not only as a composer and a conductor but also as a profound thinker. As a little foretaste for the event, let us evoke the master’s thoughts on his new composition: For millennia, sirens - killer birds with women's heads - have been the most famous singers in mythology. My composition "Sirens' Song" was inspired by three authors. According to Homer, the sirens seduced sailors with their bewitching song and then killed them. Ulysses cautiously puts wax in his ears so that he can lay eyes on but cannot hear them. Kafka suggests that the sirens cunningly fooled Ulysses because they refused to sing for him, anyway. The sirens are the muses of the underworld. Not only Joyce did they seduce but also all composers who have tried to make audible what Ulysses could never hear.

 

The night’s programme is made even more exquisite through the discussion with composer and conductor, Peter Eötvös and musicologist, Gergely Fazekas.

Béla Bartók was born in Nagyszentmiklós (now Transylvania) on 25 March 1881. Our concert is a tribute to his work and humanity.

 

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE MUSIC PROGRAMME GUIDE!

„IT’S NOT EASY TO BE A COMPOSER IN TODAY’S WORLD, AS ALL OF THEM WISH THEIR WORKS TO BE KNOWN TO THE WIDEST POSSIBLE AUDIENCE, NOT ONLY TO A FEW MUSIC CRITIQUES AND MUSICOLOGISTS.  [...] THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS, THOUGH. ONE OF THESE IF PETER EÖTVÖS HIMSELF, WHO IS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR CONTEMPORARY COMPOSERS WITH GOOD REASON.” (PAPAGENO)

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…space plays a pivotal role: how can the acoustics of a space transmit this immediate sound - originally full of various noises - to the audience in a pure and beautiful form through the acoustics of the hall? Thanks to acoustics, it acquires an echo. It is what we are used to in grand concert halls as well, but the question is the quality. There are two important things here: first, the orchestra, the Pannon Philharmonic itself, and then the concert hall of the Kodály Centre, which is absolutely fantastic. This orchestra certainly makes a splendid sound in this hall... As I have indeed conducted in a great number of halls all over the world, I can really tell that it is one of the concert halls with the best acoustics in the world. Not the only one, not the first one but certainly one of the best. (Eötvös Péter)

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Concert supported by National Cultural Fund (NKA).

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Contact

jegypénztár

Ticket Office of Kodály Centre

7622 Pécs,
Breuer Marcell sétány 4.
jegypenztar@pfz.hu
+36-72-500-300

Opening hours:
Mon–Thu: 10.00–6.00 pm
Fri: 10.00–6.00 pm
Sa–Su: only on performance days, open from 90 minutes before the performance start time

cím

The Headquarters and Rehearsal Room of the Pannon Philharmonic

7622 Pécs,
Breuer Marcell sétány 4.

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