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Living theatre, cinematic sound: Budapest Festival Orchestra at the Elbphilharmonie

Alina Ibragimova, Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra
© Daniel Dittus
By Mengguang Huang, 12 November 2025
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“the music unfolded in one continuous gesture, full of impulse, energy and joyous momentum”
Reviewed at Elbphilharmonie: Grand Hall, Hamburg on 11 November 2025
Programme
Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D major, Op.61
Strauss R., Josephs Legende
Performers
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Alina Ibragimova, Violin
Iván Fischer, Conductor
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Clarity and communion in Budapest Festival Orchestra’s Mahler 3
Michelle Assay, 12th February
On the final leg of their North American tour, the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s Mahler proves a a transformative experience within the intimate setting of Toronto’s Koerner Hall. 
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Budapest Festival Orchestra plays – and sings – at Carnegie Hall
Susan Stempleski, 6th February
Joined by violinist Maxim Vengerov, the Hungarian orchestra, under Music Director Iván Fischer, is in top form in a program of three highly contrasting pieces. 
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The evening starts with life-affirming Beethoven – and then, the Budapest Festival Orchestra demonstrate just how good native Hungarians can be in Bartók’s chiller. 
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Earth-shattering Mahler 2 from the Budapest FO at the Mahler Festival
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As part of the Concertgebouw's ambitious Mahler Festival, Christiane Karg, Anna Lucia Richter and the Netherlands Radio Choir join the Budapest Festival Orchestra for the Resurrection Symphony. 
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Story time with Uncle Iván as the BFO plays music from the ballet Cinderella to crown an all-Prokofiev evening. 
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More reviews...
Read reviews of
Alina IbragimovaBudapest Festival OrchestraIván FischerJosephs LegendeLudwig van BeethovenRichard StraussViolin Concerto in D major, Op.61
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Mengguang Huang
Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.