Traditionally, on 15 March, our orchestra pays homage to the revolutionaries and fighters of national self-esteem with compositions of Hungarian masters. This year, Ferenc Erkel's Festive Overture opens the night, which the old composer originally penned for the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Theatre in Pest. It doesn't only sum up the elderly master's oeuvre, but it has served as the incidental music for numerous national holidays since its birth. It will be followed by Liszt's deservedly famous, lyrical Piano Concerto in A major, which – contrary to the previous nationally-inspired piece – is considered an international hit. After the two popular works, the audience can hear a genuine musical treat: László Dubrovay’s Hungarian Symphony, as a continuation of the tableau of Hungarian music history. The concert concludes with a piece that set off towards world-fame from Pécs, as it was in this city where Ernő Dohnányi first performed his piano cycle Ruralia Hungarica in 1924. Its five movements he later transcribed also for the symphony orchestra. It wasn't only an enthusiastically received work both in Hungary and abroad, but it is also an important imprint of Dohnányi's patriotism, who would otherwise rarely compose in a folkloristic style.

Admission to the concert is free of charge. Registration tickets can be obtained (to the extent of the available seats) either in person in the ticket office of the Kodály Centre or online in the Jegymester webshop from 7 March.