László Fassang: organ spectacular in Budapest

By Catherine Ennis, 26 May 2016

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Reviewed at Müpa: Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Budapest on 21 May 2016

Sweelinck, Chromatic Fantasia

Buxtehude, Toccata in D minor, BuxWV 155

Bach, Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV565

Franck, Prélude, Fugue and Variation, Op.18

Vierne, Symphony no.2: Scherzo

Liszt, Légende no. 2 "Saint François de Paule marchant sur les flots", S 175

Alain, Litanies

Messiaen, Joie et Clarte des Corps Glorieux

Unknown, Improvisation

László Fassang, Organ

Pál Mácsai, Presenter

Intangible cosmos: Eötvös' Multiversum

Matthew Rye, 7th February

Composer-conductor Peter Eötvös’ attempt to portray the concept of parallel universes in music remained strangely earthbound in its UK premiere.

***11

Ein Strauss Musik von Brahms bis Kodály bei der Festival Academy Budapest

Rolf Kyburz, 10th June

Bei den Metamorphosen waren die leisen Stellen total verinnerlicht, und in den intensiven Partien schien das Klangbild demjenigen der vollen Besetzung in nichts nachzustehen.

***11

An end-of-term Mahler 6 from the Hallé in Manchester

Rohan Shotton, 28th May

Kahchun Wong conducts The Hallé in Mahler's epic Sixth Symphony, although directorial idiosyncrasies sometimes get in the way of the music.

***11

Mallwitz and the Konzerthausorchester Berlin conquer Mahler's Fifth

Mengguang Huang, 27th May

At the Elbphilharmonie, Joana Mallwitz treats Mahler's Fifth as an argument to be won, and she knows exactly how it will end.

****1

Václav Luks and the OAE deliver operatic scale in Haydn's Creation

Nick Boston, 27th May

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Václav Luks are joined by their own choir and strong soloists for a fresh and colourful performance of Haydn's Die Schöpfung.

****1

Lost for words: Asmik Grigorian excels at Wigmore Hall

Roy Westbrook, 26th May

A first half of vocalises gives way to all Strauss after the interval as the Lithuanian superstar soprano helps Wigmore Hall celebrate its 125th anniversary.

****1

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Catherine Ennis

Catherine Ennis was Director of Music at the City of London church of St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall. Her career as recitalist and recording artist took her to many international venues, and she taught or examined at three major London Music conservatoires. Her energy and enthusiasm helped create four major new London organs. In 1994 she founded the London Organ Concerts Guide, now an indispensible companion to London's organ music scene. She was Past President of the Royal College of Organists, and Past President of the Incorporated Association of Organists.