Introduction

Tonight, Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra will try to evoke the Christmas atmosphere with orchestral works written for strings.

The first piece is by young Hungarian composer Bence Kutrik, and its tone is very akin to folk music. The title of the work – Adventus – means ‘coming’, referring to the event of Jesus’ birth. Advent is the season of expectation or waiting with which people can prepare to receive the coming of the Nativity, therefore we perform this piece at the start of our Advent concert.

Next you will hear two string concertos by the Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi. Most people know Vivaldi for his Four Seasons, but he left behind a vast oeuvre of works, including hundreds of string concerti. There are no soloists in tonight’s works, instead, the two violin sections compete against each other. Both are three-movement, true Italian Baroque works of music evoking the peaceful atmosphere of Christmas.

The final piece of the first half of the concert is the Adagio by American composer Samuel Barber. The work was composed during Barber’s stay in Rome in 1936, where he spent an extended period of his studies. It was here that he met conductor Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the première of the work two years later. Adagio was originally the second movement of a string quartet, but Barber rearranged it for orchestra in January 1938 and sent this version to Toscanini, who gave a first performance of the work that same year. Adagio is an emotional work, rich in lyrical melodies, which has moved many people to tears. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, it has become a very popular piece, and has been used as incidental music for several films.

Finally, our Advent concert will conclude with Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings, inviting us to a colourful dance scene with vibrant and emotional music ranging from waltzes to village dances.

Performers

Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra
Conductor: Ádám Cser

programme

Bence Kutrik: Adventus
Vivaldi: Concerto in G minor for strings RV 156
Vivaldi: Concerto in C minor for strings RV 119
Barber: Adagio
Gershwin: Lullaby for String Orchestra
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings

2024-12-06 - 19:00
Klauzál House - Budapest, Nagytétényi út 31-33, 1222
BUDAFOK CONCERT NIGHTS 24-25/3 ADVENT CONCERT
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