Budapest Festival Orchestra: Paris Impressions

It was no coincidence that artists from every corner of the world tended to flock to Paris; even if they had to go hungry and live in poverty, they would accumulate plenty of experience there - it was impossible to imagine a more exciting place in days gone by. This concert is a voyage in time to the French capital of the 19th and 20th centuries. Over the course of our journey to the bohemian world of Montmarte artists, we will meet, along with Debussy and Ravel, a sensitive and lovable eccentric, the incomparable Erik Satie. And for the sake of hearing Henri Dutilleux's violin concerto, we'll also take an excursion to the second half of the 20th century.

Debussy's work was inspired by Mallarmé's 1876 eclogue of the same name. The young composer, who was very close to the poet, captured the poem's atmosphere perfectly. "All in all, the piece grows somewhat like a tree,” said Dutilleux of his violin concerto consisting of four movements and three interludes. It was this symbolic image and the changing cycle of the seasons that inspired the composer. Satie's eccentricity is also revealed by the peculiar titles he gave his work. The Gymnopaedia was a traditional Spartan celebration lasting several days and centred around music and gymnastics.

The piano piece Pavane pour une infante défunte was Ravel's first masterpiece and dated from his years at the conservatory. He created the orchestral version in 1910. Along with Ma mère l'Oye, he considered his ballet Daphnis et Chloé to be his most important work for the stage. Suite No. 2, written from its music in 1913, is a mainstay of the symphonic repertoire.